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VISIT OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL TO UNITED KINGDOM Mr. J. G. Young, Director-General of the Department, left New Zealand towards the end of February to represent Government at a Conference of-the Commonwealth Communications Council being hold in London to discuss important questions dealing with tele-communication matters. During Mr. Young's absence, Mr. J. Madden, Deputy Director-General, assumed the control and administration of the Department. Personal Mr. S. A. Ogilvie, Deputy Director-General, and Mr. H. McGill, Divisional Director, General Post Office, retired on superannuation on the 31st December 011 completion of over forty years service. Mr. Ogilvie was succeeded by Mr. J. Madden, Second Deputy Director-General, who in turn was succeeded by Mr. 11. M. Patrick, Divisional Director, General Post Office. The death on the 29th February of Mr. T. Paton, Divisional Director, General Post Office, as the result of an accident while on duty, is recorded with regret. Comparative Return of Persons employed in Department Ist April, Ist. April, 1943. 1044. Permanent Staff—Administrative .. .. .. .. 17 17 First Division .. .. . • • • • • , 4,560 Second Division (including junior assistants) .. 7,320 7,335 12,020 11,912 Temporary and Casual Staff .. .. •• 5,576 5,309 *17,596 117,221 Non-permanent StaffCountry Postmasters and Telephonists, including Railway officers .. .. .. •• •• 1,622 1,611 19,218 18,832 * Includes 5,530 sorving with Armed Forces. t Includes 5,159 serving with Armed Forces. Officers serving with the Armed Forces The number of employees of the Department serving with the Armed Forces is now 5,159, comprising 4,990 permanent officers and 169 temporary employees. In addition, 197 officers have resumed duty after serving with the Forces overseas, and 693 have returned to departmental employment from service within the Dominion. It has been necessary to request exemption from military duty of 486 employees who are medically classified Grade I and who come within the age group for overseas service. The majority of these men are required in connection with the construction and maintenance of the telephone and telegraph communications systems, while the remainder are, for the most part, officers engaged in radio work directly associated with the Dominion's war effort. Roll of Honour It is recorded with regret that during the course of the war the following casualties have been sustained by departmental employees : Killed in action, 62 ; died of wounds, 20 ; death presumed, 56 ; accidentally killed, 25 ; died from sickness, 7 ; died while prisoners of war, 7 ; deceased (unclassified), 1; missing, 37 ; wounded, 165 ; prisoners of war, 149 ; total, 529. Post Office Honours' List The services being rendered by officers serving with the Armed Forces have not, been without recognition, and it is pleasing to record that 30 employees have received decorations and awards, and that 24 have been mentioned in despatches. War Staffing Position There has been a slight easing in the staffing position of the Department over the past twelve months as a result of the return to duty of a number of officers who have been serving with the Forces, and this has helped to alleviate the strain 011 officers. Staffing difficulties continue to arise, however, particularly in traffic branches, where night duty is involved. The heavy demand for juvenile labour in industry has seriously affected the recruitment of boys and girls for telegram-delivery work. To meet this situation it has been necessary to engage adults, both male and female, for the performance of this duty. The Department's scheme for the rehabilitation of its officers returning from service with the Forces is working smoothly. Rehabilitation Officers have been appointed on a full-time basis at the main centres, and at other places arrangements have been made for selected officers to undertake rehabilitation work in conjunction with other duties. It is the responsibility of these officers to make contact with returned men, particularly those suffering from the effects of war service, and to assist them to the fullest extent possible to readjust themselves to civil life,

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