I.—6a

16

[M. DENNEHY.

stations graded at £220 show a very considerable increase in revenue dining recenl years, which will, no doubt, be further enhanced owing to the prosperous state of the Dominion. We will have statements put in to show the increase in the outward revenue. The clerks at a salary of £220 per annum are taking their full share in making for the efficient working of the Department, being engaged as Assistant Stationmasters, Relieving Officers, Accountants, Staff Clerks, and in various other important positions. Ihey handle and tire responsible for large sums of money. A number of officers in the tenth grade have resigned from the service during recent months. On being questioned, they invariably reply to the effect thai there are no prospects ahead, as it means serving nearly a whole lifetime up to a salary of £220. Twenty-six members have been in that grade for many years, and, as they have been superseded, it is presumed that they tire not competent to take up duties in the grade next above. This has not been lost sight of in asking lor the abolition of the grades, and it is only fair to admit that the Department should have the right to retain such members at their present salaries, In conclusion, an endeavour has been made to show that, as regards age (average about thirty-six years), length of service in grade (seven years for those now at top of grade, and an estimate of ten years for the members who joined it on the Ist April, 1910), total service in the Department (average twenty-rive years), the salary paid to members iii the ninth grade is less than what it should be in the largest revenueearning Department of the State. The mere fact that it takes from twenty-seven to thirty years' service to attain a salary of £240 shows that the Department has not created the avenues of promotion warranted by such an extensive service, numbering 1,880 in Division I. Then, again, the cost of living litis gone up. Altogether, just about the time when a man is in tile ninth grade is a critical period, as he litis to hear the expense of bringing up a young family. 10. Mr. Ramsay.] We are asking that the eighth and ninth grades be amalgamated)— Yes. 11. In reply to the Hon. Mr. Millar I think you said a man ought to go up to a salary of £260 without stopping, and what you meant was that a man only reached that salary of £260 after having been promoted from the tenth grade—that is, the promotion has to take place from the tenth grade first of all?— Yes. I was speaking of members at that time in the ninth grade. 12. Hon. Mr. Millar.] You made a comparison between the Postal Department and the Railway service: is there any similarity in the work?— Well, sir, I am not a member of the TrafficBranch of the Railway service; I have never worked in it. and am not conversant with the duties tit till; and, while 1 make it my business to be conversant with the positions in the service itself, we have officers here available who Lave winked in the Traffic Department and have done postal work in connection with the Railway service, and they will be able to answer any questions in that connection. 13. Are you aware that promotions in the Post Office under the Classification Act are only made by examination?— Yes, sir. 14. Is it so under the Railway Department classification?—Of course, we have to be efficient, and have to be recommended by the District Officers. 15. But do you pass any examination? —Of course, the members of the Traffic Department have to pass an examination in the rules and general working. 16. That is right through: but before promotion from one grade to another, do the Railway men have to pass any examination! —No. 17. You are aware they have to pass four in the Postal Department at the different grades before they get into them?—l understand they have to pass tests. 18. Are you aware that under the Postal classification the Department has power to provide the maximum salary for any position?— Yes. 19. And they do that irrespective of the grade rates? —I take it that clause gave the Postal Department that power. 20. Now we come to your percentages: you said that when the first classification was passed there were 586 members who received an average salary of £179? —I think the number of members Miti have quoted is incorrect. 21. I understood you said the first Classification Act?— They have benefited, sir, by the scale. I wish to show, sir, what the Department bas done for the service. Ido not wish to hide- anything. 22. But what I want to bring out is this : the inference you conveyed was thai as far back as the first Classification Act, 586 members averaged £179 per annum?—No, 1 do not think so. The number of members is 1,586. 23. 'Unit is in 1907; and in 1910 you say that was reduced to £173/ —Yes. 24. What branches of railway were opened during that period.'—l could not say offhand. 25. What class of stations have the majority of the stations been that have been opened since that took place —since 1907 .'--They would be in the tenth grade. 26. The whole of them? —Actually opened. 1 do not know that there have been many cases where a station in the eighth or ninth grade lots been opened, but I understand there have been cases. 27. A terminal station may he an eighth grade, hut the majority of them were the tenth grade I -Yes. 28. What I want to get tit is whether the majority of stations which are being staffed are those which can only bring the lower-grade ptty in, because the work is not there, as you know? What work is there between Kingston and Core for tmy Stationmaster on those lines? —I cannot speak in regard to the Traffic Branch, although I should very much like to be able to answer your question, but we have men who are willing to do so. 29. You referred to the percentage of salaries paid as against the total expenditure and the total revenue of the Department, and you showed by your figures that there was a reduction of £6 per annum in the average ptty by the Department to its officers. Now, in your opinion was that caused by the class of Btations which were brought into existence by the opening of new lines? -It is the whole staff.