P. AND T. DISMISSALS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1930, Page 3

P. AND T. DISMISSALS

TELEGRAMS DIVULGED

(By Telegraph—-Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, January 4

The following statement was made this afternoon by the Prime Minister concerning the dismissal of certain men in the Auckland telegraph office. “I have. taken the opportunity of seeing the official papers and it is quite clear that the charge made against the officers, and held proved by the Magistrate, was that of divulging the contents of telegrams passing through the Office. Every one wiU realise the greatest importance of maintaining the secrecy in the Telegraph Office, and there is no doubt that the service rendered by the telegraph offices would lie of little value, both commercially and privately, if the strictest secrecy were not maintained.”

“The law of the country is—and this is confirmed by the Law Officers of the Grown—that the Secretary of the Post Office has complete control of ilie staff, and his decision in disciplinary matters can be reviewed only bv the Board of Appeal, which Board the dismissed men have to approach. \ previous Parliament put this law into effect, with the object of ensuring the non-political control of the "jtate Service, and the Government has no authority to rescind, or deal with the charges against these officers. Under the Act it is removed from the control of the Postmaster-General, or the power of any Minister to deal with it.”