LABOUR AND THE P. AND T. "CUT."

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 244, 15 November 1929, Page 8

LABOUR AND THE P. AND T. "CUT."

"FIAT LUX."

(To the Editor.) Sir, — Sometimes tbat trutb, "thei wbole is greater tlian tbe part,'' i^ over-ridden. Tbe last Governnient did ifi in favour of the rieh farmers and squ'atters to the detriment of the sniall farnier, the town dweller, and tlie publie servant. It is to be regrettecl tbat your eorrespondent, "one of the lnmibugged," seems to bave expected similar action from tbe Labour, Partv members. He relates bow thef Post and Telegraph Oifieers' Association drew up and submitted new: sehedules and asked tbat tbey be ri)G" fied, ancl bow "all members of ParhaBieiit wero met and our own p^cuhar case placed before tliem." Ihe Labour members do not stand for ihe Postl and Telegraph officers and tlieir "peeu- q liar case." in particular. but for all wbo render nseful service. including members of tbe Publie Service Association (of whicb I am a late meniber), and railway employees, all, of wbom sufFered and oontinne to suffer by Iteform' s "unjust levy," tbe 1922 "cut.' ; Labour' s amendment was based upon the trutb tliat, "tbe wbole is greater than tbe part." Its success would bave aclvanced tbe cause of tlie wbole of the State employees, instead of one particular section. I assume voui coi•respondent wilL adinit tbat tlie carry™ ing of a similar amendment lor, say, railway iiigii, would advanco tlio causo of bis association very mucb further tban tbe adoption of some 'new scheclnles" peculiar to raihvaymen onlyl "Oue of the Humbugged." judgecl by his letter, nppears to be an lndiviclualist. Are bis politics founded on a "quid pro quo". base ? He says ha expresses an opmion as to wliat tlie maioritv of tbe members of lris section of tlie Post ancl Telegraph Association think npon thi.s subiect. T take _leave to doubt tbat ; it would mean tbat that maiority are also individual ists and 6elieve that the devil should take tha binclermost so long as they themselves are in tbe vanguard. If that were true we coulcl write of tbe Post and lelegrapb official s wbat your corresiwndenfc write, c of politicians, i.e. 'I OvSt and Telegraph offic-ials are tbe same tha world over— self-seeking." Persoirally J no niore believe tbat about tbem tban I do about all politicians.— I ara,; etc.. . _ ,,

Napier, Nov. 14, 1929.