THE POSTAL INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3171, 23 August 1917, Page 5

THE POSTAL INQUIRY

EXAMINATION OF THE CENSOR' TAKING OF EVIDENCE CONCLUDED! By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, August 22. The Postal Commission resumed its iiniuiry to-day. A number of Post Office officials were examined, mainly on tho question of delivery of empty envelopes. Tho censor, John P. P. Olouston, eaid ho was acting censor clerk in the C.'icf/. Post Office, Auckland. So far as .Ills appointment in thb Postal Department was concerned,, lie; w.as also postal ccivor, a position he, had occupied sinco December 14 last. He had filled a similar position at Christchurch from February, 1915, to September, l!>16. Tho wbolo »,f his time was not taken up with Ins censorship duties. He -received his instructions regarding tho censorship from.the dfputy chief postal censor at Wellington, He was not accountable to tho lost Office, but solely to the deputy chief postal censor. The first time ho knew that anything relating to Box 312 was to bo censored was in December, 1916. ' He received his instruction from his chief, not from tho Post Office. Mr. Gray, for tho Department: Without inquiring into your methods -md Practice, may I nsk whether the corresrniidenco of any other person or organisation in Auckland beside Box 912 is censored?— "I am not permitted to say." •; Mr. Gray: Did you have any natters relating to Box 912 submitted 'o you between July 2 'and July 9?—" I do not know if T am permitted to say." He,received about 200 sealed envelopes af 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, and relf-ased them when he received instructions fiem his superior officer in Wellington at about 11 a.m. on Monday, July 9. Mr. Gray: Was tho holding of the letters an net of the Post Office or tho censor?—" The censor."

Mr. Gray: Some of the letters in question have pieces of stamping paper sluelc to the back of the envelope. Was that your work?—" No." Mr. Gray: Is gummed paper l:ke that on tho envelopes used in tho Post. Office? Mr. Ostler: Did tho Solicitor-General sec you?—"I saw him." Mr. Ostler: Did he tell you waat questions you should answer ?—"No. I consulted him about a spocial point."

Mr. Ostler: Did you open any of tho letters?—"! am not permitted lo soy."

Mr. Ostler: Who told you not to say? —"The deputv chief postal censor. Mr. Ostler-.'ls'it in writing?—" Yes." Mr. Ostler: Will you prodaco it?— "No; it is confidential." Mr. Ostler: Is the deputy chief postal censor.a Postal Department officer or a military officer?—"A Postal Department officer."

Mr. Ostler: Do you open letters and read them?—"OF course, I do."

Mr. Ostler: Did you open any of tlio letters to the Protestant clergymen ?—"I cannot tell you how I dealt with them." Mr. Ostler: Did you know tlio cmtents of the letters?—"l cannot say anything about it."

Mr. Ostler: Whom aro the letters that were kept back?—"l bavo no information to givo von regarding ihem." Mr. OsHer": Are any kept hank?—"l cannot telT vou." Mr. Ostler: Did you submit to Wellington any of the circulars?—" Yes; run canio into my bands as a privato indivMnal." The tiikiwr of evidence was concluded.