P. AND T. ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1922, Page 5

P. AND T. ASSOCIATION.

BALLOT AS TO FEDERATION. REPLY TO MINISTER'S COMMENTS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Replying to the remarks of the Postmaster-General on the affiliation of the Post and Telegraph Association with the Alliance of Labor, Mr. H. E. Combs, secretary to the association, said that on the general question he thought it beet to say nothing, as the decision now lay in the hands of the members. They had already had the fullest possible information regarding the Alliance of Labor, both through their own newspaper and through special and general meetings called for the purpose. “The officials of the association are,” said Mr. Combs, “just as keen as Mr. Coates to have the clear-cut and most definite expression of opinion from the service, and, to make sure that no vote shall be cut out through delays in the post, have postponed the' count from March 30 until April 4. I have urged all members to exercise their right of voting, whether they are for or against affiliation.”

On the subject of the post and telegraph employees continuing to hold sacred the oath of secrecy, Mr. Combs said he was surprised to see the Post-master-General had given a second thought to the printed suggestions in that direction. Surely he had overlooked the unfairness to say nothing more, of such an inference. All the officers of the department hold sacred this oath of secrecy, and the officials of the association realise how vital their doing so is to the efficiency and popularity of the department. He hoped, he added, that those members of the public who have no friends or relations employed by the department, and therefore had no* direct means of gauging the standard of honor prevailing in the department on this point, would immediately dismiss any apprehensions they might have had on such a vital point. As to juniors having the right to vote, Mr. Combs went on to say that the association is accepting subscriptions from them, and must in fairness give them the full privileges of membership. It should not be overlooked, he added, that many of these so-called juniors are called upon to perform duties equal in weight and importance to those required of seniors. It seems rather Strange for anyone to challenge their ability to cast an intelligent and responsible vote because of their age, when no such misgiving operates when allotting them important -and confidential dirties. Moreover, to carry the ballot to affiliate requires a majority of three-fifths of the recorded votes. This should show, in view of the 7000 membership of the organisation, that a substantial check is placed on any possible irresponsibilities. BUSINESS MEN’S ADVICE. Hastings, March 29. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce it was resolved to communicate with the secretary of the P. and T. Officers’ Association; stating that, while the chamber expresses its appreciation of the deservedly high reputation the P. and T. service has earned in the past, it views with grave anxiety the proposal that the association should ally itself with such an organisation as the Alliance of Labor.