THE P. AND T. BALLOT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1922, Page 4

THE P. AND T. BALLOT.

The result of the recent ballot by the members of the Post and Telegraph Association on the question of affiliating with the Alliance of Labor will come as a shock to the people of the Dominion- That out of 6390 votes cast the number voting for the proposal should have been 4379, while only 1973 could be found to turn down such a revolutionary move is a matter that is bound to cause something like consternation among the sane element in the community, which is fully alive to what the Alliance stands for. In effect, the members of the Post and Telegraph staff will be placing themselves under the control of an organisation pledged to direct action of the worst type, for as soon as the linkingup process is accomplished these public officials may have the satisfaction of feeling that they are backed up by a powerful body of disruptioniate; yet they will have forfeited their freedom of action, and be obliged to obey the orders of the Alliance. This action is a deliberate challenge to the Government, and it can hardly be expected it will remain unlifted. The step is one that must be greatly deplored; its consequences may be very grave. It is for the Government to decide whether action is to be taken, and, if so, in what i direction, if only on the ground that its functions must not be usurped by a combine of Labor, no matter what its strength may be. In such action it can depend upon the whole-hearted support of the rightthinking sections of the public.