§ MR. HEALYasked the Postmaster General, If he will cancel his order to have the three Mail Messengers at Dublin punished for their recent agitation since it has now obtained for them his grant of nearly two years' arrears of pay; will he allow them to retain their present position and to continue performing their present duties, on which they have been employed for nearly eight years; and, if he insists on their reduction to the letter carriers' establishment, which constitutes the severest punishment save dismissal that could be imposed upon them, as it will leave them a certainty of being transferred to stationary duties, and thus deprive them of nine shillings a week, will he give them the option of resigning on compensation, or will he compensate them for the emoluments which they can show to have forfeited while serving as Acting Mail Guards?
§ MR. FAWCETTI cannot admit that the placing of these men on the letter carriers' establishment involves reduction. On the contrary it appears to me that, both for the men themselves and for the Service, it is the very best thing that could be done; and I am not prepared to make any change. Whether or not they remain at those duties will depend mainly upon their own behaviour.