RETRENCHMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1921, Page 4

RETRENCHMENT.

THE P. AND T. SERVICE. MORE OFFICERS TO GO. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Oct. 30. A report of retrenchment in the Post and Telegraph Department was the subject of a question put to the Postmas-ter-General in the House of Representatives by Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki). The member asked if it was true that a number of additional officers had received notices of dismissal, and that a drastic scheme of retrenchment had been adopted. Had the Minister sought the co-operation of the Post and Telegraph Association in order to reach an amicable understanding, in the manner that had been adopted in the railway service? The Postmaster-General (Hon. J. G. Coates) said that he intended to make a statement on the subject at a later date. “It is very necessary that the officers of the Post and Telegraph Department shall be reduced in number,” |ie said. “When I make a statement later I will show the reason. ,1 would not call it drastic retrenchment. Some officers are going out. The* next batch will include about 83.”

Mr. Mitchell (Wellington South): All in Wellington?” The Minister: “Wellington is not NewZealand. It is a very important centre. It is the hub of the universe as far as the honorable gentleman is concerned. But it is not the whole of New Zealand. I am talking about the New Zealand Post and Telegraph service. I regret that it is necessary that certain retrenchments should be made. I have not asked the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association whether they agree to my scheme or not. I hope to have their co-operation all through what promises to bo a rather difficult period.”