74. Colonel THORNEasked the Post master General whether he will grant at least one month's clear notice to all temporary postal workers as recommended by the Civil War Workers' Committee set up by the Government; and whether temporary servants will have an opportunity of qualifying for regular employment?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIt is arranged that in all such cases the customary week's notice shall be preceded by a warning of at least a week. I have further decided that where this period can be increased that shall be done, but I can give no pledge upon the subject. I hope to be able to absorb into the regular staff a number of ex-soldiers and ex-sailors already employed in a temporary capacity, and also some temporary women with telegraphic qualifications, I regret that I cannot say anything further on this subject at present.
75. Colonel THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received an application from the Joint Executive Council, representing 20,000 temporary postal workers, for a gratuity of 10s. per month for services rendered during the period of the War; and whether, if this application has been refused, he will further consider the advisability of granting at least some compensation to those civil war workers on the grounds that the rate of wages have been leas than the current rates paid to other Government workers with no advan- 1731 tage of sick pay or privileges conferred upon them as at present conferred on the established staff?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI have already considered this request and regret that I cannot accede to it. Those officers who have no employment to return to upon discharge will be eligible for the usual unemployment pay.