SAFETY OF MAILS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1924, Page 4

SAFETY OF MAILS.

AI.I.KHKD I.AXITY. The question ol the safety of iimils which has had attention directed thereto by tlit? recent pilfering of registered mail mutter on tlie .steamer Waimnmt, Inis caused the question to be asked why mails overseas are not carried in some special strong compartment, instead of being. as is often the case, sluno into one of the hatches on top of cargo, to be available for exploitation to any miscreant- among the crew or passengers who can gain admittance to the hold. The astonishing information is gleaned (says the Auckland “Star”) that mails ale supposed to be carried in a safe place, and they are very often not: that the registered mail should be placed apart from ordinary mn.ttor. and it is often not; and that- when a person registers a letter, trusting to its safe delivery because lie has registered it in the belief that if ii is lost the loss will be made good, he labours under a delusion.

Apparently the public is in need ol protection from a blind faith in the I’ostlil Department in the way of infnrmiltion. In registering a letter or

packet tlie persoli who registers gets a receipt and goes a wav in the belief thj.it even if the valuable contents, say. banknotes or jewellery, go astray, the loss will he made good hv the Department! He is sadly astray. The maximum amount of liability accented by the Deportment is .Cs. ami more than that cannot lie recovered unless the letter nr packet has been insured. It seems that the Department shnithi advert iso the fact and keep it in the public blind. Otherwise there i- a suspi-.--iun that tlie Department does nut visit to take tlie risk. In any ease it is contended that registration should he an insurance itsc-lf. mid that if the risis is too great for the Department to accept at present rates the rates should he increased. .No one would grumble al aii extra threepence, say. if by the payment thereof safety was guaranteed. Also, the shouldering of full responsibility by tlie Department would sharpen .supervision and tighten up

precautions. In ropect to the carrying of mails overseas, it is not generally known that any 'ship carrying the British tlag must carry his .Majesty’s mails when requested. Kvcn warships carry mails when the necessity arises, and any old seaworthy tramp is commandeered for the purpose in the same manner, for the chief purpose ol the mail is quick delivery. For instance, if the Niagara was leaving for Sydney in four days' time the Australian until •vnuhl not. he kept- hack lor her il there was a collier or tramp going to Sydney or Newcastle to-morrow with the reasonable cxpcciat inn ol arriving at either port a day or two ahead ol tlie big mail boat. But mail steamer or tramp, the rcgiilatinis require that the mails shall Ik- carired in a reason-

ably sale place, till the big steamers regularly carrying mails there should be a proper mail room ta strongroom) for the storing of correspondence and packets, though this is not expected for the i onvevance of less important mail matter, sin-h. as newspapers or ordinary parcels. lint in many ef the. steamers carrying mails everv trio there is no such provision for safetv. The mails, registered end otherwise, pipers and parcels, are all dumped mi top of the cargo in the last hatch to he loaded at the last minute. There are devious ways in which members of the crew can reach the hold, and the discovery of the extensive and costly havoc worked among the mails of the Waimaiia when she berthed at Auckland a lew (lays ago need not have been ai astonishing.

Responsibility for the safe carriage of mails is placed upon the carrier. A place of reasonable security being demanded. if that security is not provided the loss is on the ship. The postal authorities do not com iiler that the cargo hold is olacc of reasonable security. so ill the case of tlie Waimauu the shipping company will he asked to pay. The losses of I lie public (only up to (.'•_* in any one instance, excepting where insurance i v effected) will first cl all he paid by the Department; then the Department will make a claim on the company. In lliis connection id is interesting in note that the Department projects itself well in the matter of it- property, for it makes the carrier responsible lor any damage done In mail bags by nil. dirt, or raroles-, handling. Ii dues not nt'ote-t the public with sin h edieiim-y.

I'i;j j• i>.liit,s ru■■ ■■ i ii<i <m lime table are provide,l (or should l:e provided! :is ;i rule, wit!i m:iil rooms. with special .trout; rooms for ilie regi stored mail. The regular moil steamers run under coin r.-o r with tixoil subsidies. Ollier Vessels ore p lid ill the rote of so linteli per hair. the money lor this often lieino regarded os :i pcrqujiitc of 1 lie* eoplo.ill. Vessels raiTying liis .Mojesly’s moil ore required hv retttilot ion to fly the moil Mot; from the time oi enlerints port until the moil is delivered. loit this is iiy no moons always done. Altogether tiiere seems to he too much slackness in the matter of shipboard moils, and it is to lie Imped that alter this recent les-on the postal iiiithorities. shipniiifr companies. and masters of vessels will comhine In sen that there is produced a guarantee of "l'eater safety.