GOVERNMENT TELEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 13, 27 October 1880, Page 2

GOVERNMENT TELEGRAMS.

Over two-fifths of the whole number of telegrams sent along the New Zealand telegraphs during thd September quarter were Government messages. There is room for retrenchment here. Publio officials should be instructed that the same rule is to guide them as business men aot upon, viz., only to use the telegraph wires where a matter is so urgent or important that it would be detrimental to use the postal service. A large number of officials doubtless act upon the idea that as it costs the Government nothing they might as well use the easier means of communication. Tim, however, is a mistake. The country has to pay the salaries of a number of operators who could be dispensed with if Government messages wero forwarded according to the same rules as business men adopt. Dr. Lemon would take a real 6tep in retrenchment if he would ask the Government to issue these instructions to Civil servants :— 1. Use the telegraph service only where publio interests will suffer through the delay of posting a letter. 2. Be as brief as possible, consistent with olearneas. 3. Only telegraph what is indispensable, leaving details to be furnished by letter. If those rules were adopted and faithfully carried by Ministers, permanent heads of departments, and civil servants, we would guarantee that in three months Dr Lemon would be able to gladden the heart of the Minister by announcing real retrenchment in his department. Considering that the Government telegrams Sjßnt during the September quarter of 1880 are valued at £6,267 5s 3d, it will be admitted there is room for improvement in the direction indicated.