STAFF DEFENDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 9

STAFF DEFENDED.

P. AND T. DEPARTMENT.

EFFECT OF GAMING ACT.

CLERYGMEN ANSWERED. POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S PLEDGE. A deputation from the Council of Christian Congregations waited upon the Postmaster-General (the Hon. J. B. Donald) to-day to protest against the introduction of the Gaming Amendment Bill. The chief speaker, the Rev. J. J. North said the- measure was objectionable because it permitted the publication of dividends, which would be an encouragement to the small bookmaker, and particularly so because it would place temptation in the way of postal officials. In his reply, the Minister said that he had every confidence in the officers of his Department, and that if he had not, he would not have given his election pledge to support the measure this year.

" Confidential information passes through the Post Office every liour," said Mr. Donald, "and it is not abused."

Introducing the deputation, which consisted of the Rev. E. Drake, the Rev. J. J North, Mr. F. N. Andrews, Mr. W. K. Ellinghain, Mr. T. Clark, Mr. C. H. Furness. Mr. J. C Speckling, and Mr. G. Brownlee, Mr. Drake said the object of their visit was to prevent the increase of gambling facilities. ''We have noticed with alarm," he said, "the weakening of the Government in certain directions', such as the facilities granted for the reintroduction of art unions. As you know, these gambling facilities encourage the greatest vice in the community." The bill, if passed, would give direct "encouragement to those who were preying on the community. " Grave Temptation." Mr. North said the matter was one which very crucially involved the Post and Telegraph Department. The deputation objected to the bill in both of its main grounds, the first being the publication of dividends, which would give encouragement to the small bookmaker, who was already a pest. The second was possibly more deep-seated, because it involved the employees of the Department. Members of this Department were handling, day by day, messages from all parts of the country, and if the bill were passed grave temptation would be placed before them. They would have to handle- the bets of men whom they knew, and who might be regarded as "knowing" men, and officers of the Department might be given information which would bo a great temptation. " Take the case of a small district where one or two men in a position to send information might do so," said Mr. North. " Working on the law of human averages, a great proportion may become speculators. The- ordinary clerk in the ' tote " has no opportunity of investment, bufc a postal clerk placed in the way of information with an opportunity of investment beforehand is in an entirely different position." . The matter, said Mr. Nort.i, reflected on the general habit? and probity of the community, and the Minister could not afford to be a passive epectator. I say these things reetrainedly, but with a very deep sense of their importance, he added. The leader of the deputation mentioned at this stage that the deputation represented all Christian churches except the Roman Catholic.

"Very Serious Charges." In his reply, Mr. Donald said he fully appreciated the remarks that had been made and tho views expressed would receive his fullest consideration. "You fully understand you have made some very serious charges," continued Mr. Donald. "I would not describe them as charges," said Mr. North. "They are merely a statement of definite possibilities." The Minister said it had been suggested that members of his Department were very liable to go wrong, if the bill was passed. "You must realise that this is a matter of opinion," said Mr. Donald. "If I had thought for a moment that such a thing was possible I would not have given my sanction to the measure. Every day there passes through my Department by letter and by telegram, information which is of vital importance, without officials succumbing to temptation." Gambling "No Good." Mr. Donald went ou to say that he had given his pledge to vote for the Gaming Act this year and that therefore he could not reviee his decision. It might be that subsequent events might alter his opinion, but as matters stood ho wished tho deputation to realise that he must vote for the measure. "I quite agree that gambling is a bad tiling for anybody," he said. "I have been a gambler myself. When I say I have been a gambler, I mean that I have put money on the 'tote.' I quite realise that a man might etart as one who puta money on for fun and later put it on in earnest."

In conclusion, Mr. Donald assured the deputation that their views should have the fullest consideration, but reiterated his statement that ho was pledged to vote for the bill this year.