IN TWO YEARS TIME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 38, 9 June 1947, Page 5

IN TWO YEARS TIME

NEW POST OFFICE MINISTER’S “LAST PROMISE” That the new Whakatane Post Office was on the Works Department’s estimates for this year and that it would he constructed within two years was the reassuring statement made by the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, to those who met him at Whakatane on Thursday.

Immediately mention of the post office was made by the chairman of the gathering, Mr J. L. Burnett, the Minister remarked with a smile: “I will stonker you again; it is on the plan.” Mr W. Sullivan, M.P.: It is on the estimates.

Mr Burnett explained to the Minister that business people were concerned over the delay in starting the new building, and that the staff of the post office were working under very difficult conditions, because of the great increase in business. Mr Semple: The post office is on the plan and will be on this year’s estimates.. So you can say “Hallelujah.”

- The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry: We have been fed on promises. The new post office was promised when I waited on the then PostmasterGeneral, Mr Jones, nine years ago. Mr Semple: This is the last promise. It will be on the estimates this year and will be constructed within two years. Mr Barry (good humouredly): We hope to see you here to .lay the foundation stone.

Mr Semple: That is not my job. That is the job of the PostmasterGeneral. We do the job and they take the glory, but what does that matter as long as you get your post office? ! . Temporary Improvements Mr Barry asked if Mr Semple could confer with the PostmasterGeneral about improving the facilities at the post office in the meantime. It “took hours” for a telephone call to get through' to Auckland due to the congestion of business and inadequate facilities.

Mr Semple: I know that myself. I tried to get through to Auckland this evening myself without success. The Minister promised to take up this matter on his return to Wellington.