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Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 4

The .special Appeal Board which enquired into the case of six members of the Auckland Telegraph. Office, who were dismissed for divulging the contents of mess ages which passed through the office, did not entertain the appeal. In the original enquiry, a magistrate found that an offence had been committed, and the gravity of the offence was emphasised, by the dismissal of the men from the service. Reports were soon current when the Auckland case came to the surface, that in certain central offices there was a good deal of leakage regarding betting telegrams. We do not know what extent of credence is to he given to these reports, hut evidently in the Auckland instance, the charge was sheeted home. The necessity of maintaining the secrecy of the telegraph service, is, of course, of the highest importance. The public require io have confidence in the integrity and fidelity of t!Te public staff. The revelation that the confidence wns not fully respected, and was in fact more or less openly abused in some respects, was not . a pleasant one. Once the thin end of the wedge was introduced, and the public became aware of the leakage, the system was in serious disrepute At the outset there was some discussion regarding “the penalty fitting, the crime.’’ It is manifest, however, that an offence of the nature indicated, which tends to destroy public confidence in the good faith of the department, should not be treated lightly, but handled in such a way that the penalty will deter others from taking '(ike risks if open to temptation. The action of the Government in the. matter has been very proper. When first dealt with, there was an appeal to the Postmaster-Gen-eral. Sir Joseph Ward firmly disclaimed any authority to interfere, as the Secretary of the Post Office had full authority and absolute control of the staff. This assured discipline in tin service being properly maintained. The men, however, had their right of appeal to a properly constituted Appeal Board, which includes representative members drawn from the staffs of the department. This Board has now given its decision, which is to the effect that the appeals be dismissed, a result indicating that both discipline and the sanctity of the service are fully maintained.