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Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1933, Page 4

'The postal Committee, consisting of Lord Brklgeman as chairman, Lord Pleader, and Sir John Cadman, which was set up in February, 1932, hy Sir Kingsley Wood, to inquire whether any changes in the constitution, status, or system of organisation of the Post Office would he in the public interest, presented its report on August 20. This report was the outcome of a memorial, 'signed by 320 members of Parliament, and presented to the Prime Minister in December, 1931, asking for an inquiry in view of the criticism of the Post Office, which came from many quarters and which found its cldef exinWra in a series of articles by Lord Wolmer in the Times. The members of the comjirttro, v,- ! in were unanimous in all their opinions and recommendations, did not accept the suggestion made by som>. of the c.rtios that a change in tire status of the Post Office to that of a public utility cornouitlo", either wholly or in port, was desirable. On the contrary, they affirmed their 'belief that the Parliamentary control which now exists is essential in a business of such a national character. Such defects as could be found in the present organisation could ho. remedied, in I' ci view of the committee, without change of status. The follow-

ing were among the recommendations of the committee: —Instead of the present, system, -a board should he established representative of the various functions involved; the chairman should be the Postmaster-General, and a Director-General, who would in effect- he a general manager, should act as deputy chairman. «The policy of the Post Office should be decided by the board, and carried out all over the country by a reorganisation of staff. Instead of a.fl the Post Office profits being taken by the- Treasury, a sum might be fixed for three years at pome figure approximate to the present amount- which the revenue absorbs, and any savings above that amount should be available for improvements in the service, subject to the leant possible interference by the Treasury. The telegraph -service should be completely amalgamated with the telephone service. Staff management should be decentralised to the fullest possible extent and the right of appeal to headquarters should be restricted. The- Advisory Council should be consulted by the Postmaster-General on questions of general policy, and be regarded as a connecting link between the Post Office and the public. Tlie committee stated that while in its ooinion criticisms directed against the oresent system were not- devoid of some substance, it had formed the imnression that in general the Post Office in the performance of its duties was very satisfactory. It doubted whether the public frilly appreciated how high this standard was.