The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1921. THE P. & T. ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1921. THE P. & T. ASSOCIATION.

The long-standing grievance that has created a considerable amount of feeling among the inembers of the Post and Telegraph service appears to have at last been amicably settled by the Government consenting to recognise the P. and T. Officers’ Association. It has been a puzzle to most people who follow the trend of events in the Dominion why the Government should have so persistently refused to recognise the P. and T. Association as the mouthpiece of the members of the staff, when it has recognised, as a matter of course, other organisations having the same object as that of the post and telegraph service. The practice of combining for mutual protection and benefit is one that finds a place in almost all important—and in some unimportant—spheres of work. Whether the combination is designated a union or an association the end in view is the same, and the underlying principle is that of unity being strength. To refuse a large body' of public servants, who have prov- ■ ed their ability to earn the confidence and appreciation of the public, the right to have an association which shall act as their mouthpiece on all matters which it is thought desirable to have adjusted, cannot be defended, for what is deemed fitting for one class should be right for all. The agreement which has now been arrived at between the PostmasterGeneral and the Association is said to practically place the service on the same plane as similar services, so that the staff now have the assurance that “no drastic alterations in pay or conditions will take place without their having the fullest opportunities of considering them and making such representations as appear necessary.” The Government is is no way prejudiced or handicapped by recognising the association; rather should it be helpful in adjusting matters that are considered to be in need of that treatment. It will still be for the Government to decide on the merits of every representation made, and if, as is the case, the members of the service prefer to speak as one on all matters of difference between them and the department, there is no just reason why they should not do so. The great needs of the Dominion are efficiency and co-op-eration. In the past, the members of the P. and T. service have been quite reasonable in their attitude on all the matters they have brought before the department, and it may confidently be assumed that policy will still be pursued. The removal of the grievance as to the non-recognition of the association should convince the members of the service that the Government desires to do what is politic, and the concession should serve to encourage them in showing full appreciation of the privilege by increased zeal and efficiency. The high standard already attained is recognised by the public, who will naturally feel pleased at the complete understanding that now exists between the PostmasterGeneral and the large staff he controls. The association has been tempted lately to join forces with labor organisations that believe in the efficacy of the “big stick” in obtaining their demands. We trust the P. and T. service will continue to hold aloof from these militant forces, and thereby retain its independence and the support and sympathy of the public.