It is a fixed rule of discipline that officers of
the Army and Nay1 must not hold political meetings or send up mass petitions, or combine in any way whatever to influence the Government, and there is reason for the rule. Such combinations among men in command of armed forces are menaces, and might lead, as in many countries they often have led, to civil war. But Post-Office em- ployes cannot threaten anybody except the public, and it seems a little hard that all who attend a meeting to discuss wages should be menaced by circular with immediate dismissal. Why should they not discuss ? A meeting called by some letter-carriers for Good Friday was so menaced, and we trust that a question will be asked on the matter in the House of Commons. In the present state of the labour market there is not the slightest danger of a strike among letter-carriers, and if there were, the danger is not increased by a discussion which enables the chiefs of the department to see what the grievances of their employes really are. The circular which prohibits such meetings is dated 1866, but it has been reapplied, and there is something in the application which is offensive to men who remember that this Government stands pledged to legalize Trades' Unions. The poor fellows met, and went through their nominal business, the presentation of a testimonial to Mr. Moss, Secretary to the Mutual Aid Association ; but, as they confessed, they did not " dare " to discuss the subject on which their thoughts were fixed, their own pay and pensions.
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