PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 69/ 1967
POSTAL DISPUTE
Following are texts of further telegrams exchanged late
today between the Prime Minister and the General President of the
Union of Postal Clerks and Telegraphists, Mr. L. J. Benaud.
Mr. Benaud's telegram was in reply to the one sent earlier
today by Mr. Holt ( text already released).
Telegram from Mr. Benaud:
" YOUR TELEGRAM OF THE 29TH JUNE IS THE FIRST
POSITIVE INDICATION FROM GOVERNMENT CONCERNING OUR
CAMPAIGN FOR A FIVE DAY WEEK FOR POSTAL OFFICE WORKERS
STOP WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND VWHY THIS W. AS NOT MADE CLEAR
TO US WHEN FIRST A. MEETING W,. AS ARRANGED WITH THE ACIll NG
POSTMASTER GENERAL ON THE 2ND JUNE AND LATER AT OUR
MEETING 19TH JUNE V HEN IT WAS MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT
OUR RESOLUTIONS FROM MASS MEETINGS STILL HELD CONCERNING
OUR STOP VJ! ORK ACTIVITY ON JULY 1ST STOP AS THE ACTING
POSTMASTER GENERAL MADE NO MENTION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF
OUR INTENDED ACTION AND AS HE ACCEPTED OUR JOINT
DEPARTMENTAL UNION SUBMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION IN ABSENCE
OF THE MINISTER VIE UN DERSTOOD THAT HE VWOULD MAKE EVERY
EFFORT BETWEEN 1c/ TH JUNE AND 1ST JULY TO AT LEAST INDICATE
SOME POSITIVE ANSIW ER TO OUR SUBMISSION STOP I MUST ADVISE
THAT THE THREAT BY GOVERNMENT TO A MOST LOYAL GROUP OF
AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS IS MOST DEEPLY FELT AND
RESENTED STOP K. E ARE STILL ANXIOUS TO AVERT A STOPPAGE AND
BELIEVE THIS POSSIBLE EVEN AT THIS LATE HOUR STOP GENERAL
SECRETARIES BAKER AND SLATER WILL BE IN CANBERRA THIS
EVENING ADDRESSING POSTAL W'ORKERS AND IT IS STILL POSIBLE
FOR THE ASSURANCES 17E SEEK TO BE CONVEYED TO THEM STOP
CONTRARY TO ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT IN TELEGRAM FROM
ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL ANDERSON ON 28TH OUR SUBMISSION
FOR A FIVE-DAY ! WkEEK FOR POSTAL W! ORKERS DOES NOT MEAN
SATURDA Y V. ITHOUT SERVICE.
The Prime Minister tonight replied to Mr. Benaud as follows:-
" I REFER TO YOUR TELEGRAM OF THIS AFTERNOON.
A NUMBER OF THE STATEMENTS IN YOUR TELEGRAM DO NOT
ACCORD WITH THE FACTS. IF YOUR UNION AND THE APV! U CANCEL
THE STOPPAGES PROPOSED FOR 1ST JULY AND IPITHDRAW ALL
OTHER THREATS OF DIRECT ACTION THE ACTING POSTMASTER
GENERAL WILL RESUME THE EXAMINATION OF YOUR VARIOUS
REPRESENTATIONS ASIQ HE PROMISED AT TH4E MEETING ON 19TH
JUNE. THEREAFTER I W.. OULD BE WILLING TO ARRANGE FOR THE
MINISTER AND THE MINISTER FOR LABOUR AND NATIONAL SERVICE
TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF YOUR UNION, THE APV! U AND THE
POSTMASTERS' ASSOCIATION FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO
THIS MAITER BEING CONSIDERED BY THE CABINET.
CANBERRA, 29th June, 19167