P. AND T. SERVICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1922, Page 4

P. AND T. SERVICES.

POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S ATTITUDE. AFFILIATION NOT SANCTIONED. A CRISIS REACHED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The following letter has been forwarded by the Hon. J. G. Coated (Postmaster-General) to Air. Combs (secretary of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association): — “As the recent ballot taken by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association decided in favour of linking up with the Alliance of l-»abor, and as it has been stated in the Press that you propose to take steps forthwith to join up with that body, I beg to inform you that the Government views such a step with, serious disfavour, and as one which it is not prepared to countenance under any consideration. “Obviously, the association, whose members are officers of the fevate, are pledged to serve the whole public, and cannot be allowed to be allied, with an outside organisation, as such an alliance must prove a grave danger to the State, as the officers would, be placed in a position of obeying the authority of the Government or that? of the alliance. “The interests of the public require that the service should be free •from interference by any outside body, and subject to the control only of the State it serves. The question is, therefore, a matter for serious consideration by the individual members of the service. Each and every officer should realise that the efficiency of the department, and. probably his own personal welfare, depend, upon the next step being taken in the right direction. “It must be clearly understood, that the Government cannot agree to any officer of the Poet and Telegraph Department endeavoring to serve the Government and, at the same time, the Alliance of Labor. Members ot the association should be notified, to this effect and the result communicated to me at the earliest possible, date.” A copy of this memorandum is being sent to the Press, ahd to the controlling officers of the department for the information of the staff as a whole. ANOTHER STRONG PROTEST.

Wellington, Last Night. A. largely attended meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce discussed the decision of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association to affiliate with the Alliance of Labor. A very strong feeling was expressed by members of the council, and the following resolution was carried, unanimously: “That this Chamber deplores the action of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association in joining the Alliance of Labor, and respectfully calls upon the Government to refuse to recognise such affiliation; also to make it illegal for any body in the public service to ally itself with any sectional or class organisation. Further, that this Chamber is prepared to support the Government in. any action it may deem necessary to take in order to prevent the public service from ing placed under labor union control.” SUBVERSIVE TO WELFARE OF COMMUNITY. Gisborne, Last Night. The Gisborne Chamber of Commerce sent the following telegram to the Premier: “The Gisborne Chamber strongly urges the Government to take a firm stand in refusing to recognise any Government department affiliating with the Alliance of Labor, and to use every effort in preventing such a grave incongruity taking place, the principlea of which being entirely subversive to the welfare of the community.” DISSATISFACTION IN DUNEDIN. Dunedin, April 6. There is dissatisfaction amongst many local members of the Post and. Telegraph Association at the result of. the ballot. It is stated, that several resignations are certain.