AN EXTRAORDINARY ACTION

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1922, Page 4

AN EXTRAORDINARY ACTION

It was recently reported that the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department (Mr. R. B. Morris) had issued a memorandum to all members of the Association requesting them to be particular in recording their votes either one way or the other on the question of linking up with the Alliance of Labor. This seems to be an extraordinary departure for one occupying the responsible position he does. Mr. Morris at. present enjoys the respect and confidence of the public, which may suffer considerably if he associates himself officially with a political movement like this undoubtedly is. If the rank and file desire to take a ballot on the question there is nothing to stop them, but what right has the head of the department to direct the members to be sure to vote? That is a role that might well be left to the agitators in the service. The action is so extraordinary that we can hardly believe that the matter has been correctly reported. If it is correct the Government should ask for an explanation. The public know full well that the Alliance of Labor is a revolutionary force, and look with considerable apprehension on the possibility of a service with such fine traditions as the Post and Telegraph Department allying itself with it. That possibility is bad enough without the head of the department taking a leading part in it. It would be more fitting if he busied himself in pointing out to the less informed members the danger arising to the service by adopting the insane suggestion to join the revolutionary organisation.