§ MR. MACLIVERasked the Postmaster General, If he is aware of the uneasy feeling which still prevails among the telegraphic clerks; and if he will, 1822 upon an early day, give to the House his decision upon the proposals made to him, in various memorials, for an adjustment of present differences?
§ MR. FAWCETTI suppose that the hon. Member, in asking whether I am aware of the uneasiness existing amongst telegraphists, makes special reference to certain meetings which were held on Saturday last in London and certain Provincial towns. I can only say that I have read the proceedings at those meetings with great regret; and I am sure that it would be obvious to the House that the efforts which the Department is now making to arrive, with the least delay possible, at a just conclusion with regard to the complaints of the telegraphists, must be considerably hampered, if the telegraphists, on their part, assume a threatening attitude. With regard to the second portion of the Question of the hon. Member, the House will, perhaps, recollect that on this day week, in reply to an inquiry which he then addressed to me, I stated that I would spare no effort to arrive, with the least delay possible, at a just conclusion with regard to the entire subject. I am not conscious that I have done anything to give anyone reason to suppose that that promise would not be redeemed. As I am aware that many hon. Members are receiving Memorials from the telegraphists and from the authorities of certain towns, and as I know there is considerable agitation on the subject, perhaps the House will permit me to state, in order to show that on my part there has been no unnecessary delay, that it was only on Monday last that I received the shorthand writer's notes, consisting of 250 pages, of the interview which I had with the telegraphists. In these notes many statements were made by the telegraphists as to the nature and skill of their employment, of the amount of overtime they had to work, as to sick leave, and many other points, which I feel I am bound, in justice to them, carefully to investigate. Moreover, I stated to the telegraphists, at the conclusion of the interview, that if there was anything they had omitted to bring under my notice, or any further facts which they wished to lay before me, I would receive them in writing. Only as recently as this day some of these telegraphists have sent me documents, which I have 1823 not had time to read over. Under these circumstances, I hope the House will agree with me that I should not be acting justly either to the public or the telegraphists if I were to permit myself to be forced into a premature conclusion on the subject.