On Thursday Mr. Samuel received another deputation from the postal
unions on the question of the increase of wages by 15 per cent. all round which has been demanded. The Government, Mr. Samuel said, had again reviewed the facts, and they still agreed with the Holt Committee that the scales recommended by the Committee, and since modified by him- self, were adequate, even taking into consideration the rise in the cost of living. They were unable to grant the incessant demands made on the Treasury. They would, however, con- sider the exceptional cases of country postmen which had been brought to their attention. As to the statement that in the event of a strike Territorials would be employed in the Post Office, it was a " mare's-nest." He remarked upon the important omission in the speech of Mr. Stuart, the spokes- man of the deputation—namely, that he had not threatened "an extreme course." This was, of course, a reference to the threatened Christmas strike. Mr. Stuart, while expressing regret at Mr. Samuel's "disagreeable" message, said that he was not there to offer any threats. The deputation afterwards discussed Mr. Samuel's reply with the Joint Committee now sitting in London. It was then decided that the reply needed consideration by a larger body of union representa- tives. All the executives of the seven postal unions have accordingly been asked to meet in London next Tuesday.
Previous page
