LICENSE PARTY CIRCULARS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2342, 7 November 1908, Page 5

LICENSE PARTY CIRCULARS

A NO-LICENSE PROTEST

[Pkess Association.^

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 5

' The Christchurch No-lieense party has telegraphed to the PostmasterGeneral ,"protesting against the lodging of large quantities of trade literature in Christchurch and ether post offices for delivery on November 6th. when it will be too late for the party t-o make effective reply to statements contained in the circulars before the general election. WELLINGTON. Nov. 6 In reference to a. complaint- by the Rev. L. M. Isitt that the post offices were being used to store matter antagonistic to the No-license party, the Postmaster-General has replied as follows: —“L. M. Isitt, Esq.. Christchurch, —In reference to your telegram of the 4tli, I have instructed inquiries to bo made into the- matter, and find that, provided circulars do not relate to gambling or any other matter prohibited by tho Post Office Act, the post office accepts them when in large numbers in 'advance of the date on which they are to he delivered. This is done for the purpose of facilitating the work of the post office. For instance, within the Inst few weeks in Wellington, not refer ring to either political elections or licensing matters, one hundred thousand circulars were sent to the. post office a week ahead, on condition tint they should not be delivered before a certain date, and this I find is the practice wherever it has been asked —and exactly the same course would he followed for the No-iiccnse Association if it wished that it should he done —in anv town in the Dominion. —J. G. Ward.” CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 6.

The post office authorities state that they are sending out the Licensed Victuallers’ Association’s circulars to-day in accordance with the agreement. There 'are about 100,000 of thorn. A communication was received from the head office in Wellington, stating that there could he no objection to making arrangements for delivering a large number of circulars on a date .in advance of the day on which they are sent to the post offico. The authorities also state that it would he impossible tc deal with 100.000 circulars in out day, and that if it is desired to deliver them on a certain date they must be forwarded to tho office some days previously. The stamping, sort-' ing, and other work takes up a great deal of time. It is the custom to adopt tho course tlffit is now being followed,.