AUCKLAND POST OFFICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1747, 16 August 1917, Page 4

AUCKLAND POST OFFICE.

CHARGES AGAINST OFFICERS. COMMISSIONER DESIRES TO KNOW HIS POWER. * A HITCH IN THE PROCEEDINGS. Auckland, August 13. "The inquiry ordered by the Government into the charges made by the Rev. Howard Elliott against Auckland Post Office officials was opened this morning before Mr Bishop, S.M., of Christchurch. Mr A. Gray, K.C., of Wellington, appeared on behalf of the Government, and Mr Ostler for the Rev. Howard Elliott and the Protestant Political Association. Mr W. R. Morris, secretary of the Postal Department, and Mr J. C. Williamson, Chief Postmaster at Auckland, were present. It has been decided by Cabinet that matters connected with P.O. Box 912, regarding the non-delivery of mail matter, in regard to which complaint was made in the House of Representatives by All* J. S. Dickson, ALP., shall tie included in the investigation.

Air Ostler read two charges as follows:—

(1) That of 25,000 envelopes posted containing printed circulars and cards of application inviting -citizens to a meeting, a great number were delivered empty tojlic addresses, the circulars and cards having been, it was alleged, abstracted or lost in the. course of the post.

(2) Envelopes containing notifies to Protestant clergymen which were posted on Friday night, July (ith, at 14.20 p. in., at the Dominion Road post office, were improperly opened in the course of the post, and were improperly detained in (he Post Office, so that none of these notices reached the addresses until after Sunday, July Slh, and the ministers were thus prevented from notifying (heir congregations of (he intended meeting at the Sunday services. Air Bishop having stated that he had received no instructions regarding the investigation into matters affecting Box 912, Air Ostler obtained permission to'\read tliat charge as follows: That the Loyal Orange Lodge and the Protestant Political Association for some lime past had been renting a private let-ter-box (912) from the Post Office, and that the military censorship had been established over correspondence addressed lo (his box in the iuteresls of' the Roman Catholic Church. Almost all the letters received by the lodge and association addressed to this box have borne the superscription “Passed by military censor,” and many letters addressed to the association contain,ing the address of this box have been improperly retained and not delivered at all, although these letters had no connection with military matters or (he war, and dealt exclusively with the subject of Roman Catholicism.

Air Bishop read an extract from a telegram forwarded by the Prime Alinislor and handed in by Mr Gray. It stated (3) “As to charge 3, this in part relates lo improper detention and to non-delivery of letters addressed to Box 912, and in part re - kites to actions of censor. Cabinet has no objection to Commissioner investigating any charges relating lo improper retention and to nondelivery of letters to Box 912, and relating to suggestion that system of censorship had been established over correspondence addressed lo Box 912 in the interests of the Roman Catholic Church, hut inasmuch as existence of stale of war has made the establishment of censor-

ship necessary, and as matters connected with and arising out of censorship are for reasons of Stale ,obviously secret. Cabinet cannot agrec to allow the Commissioner lo cal! upon any censor officer under' control olMhe chief military censor to do anything more than explain whal was done by him with any letters and documents referred lo in

your charge, which may have come into his hands. The censor officer can give no information and no reasons for censoring any documents or correspondence within New Zealand, or as to scope and extent of censorship established in New Zealand upon the outbreak of

Mr Bishop staled he was in a difficult position regarding charge 3. “I understand,” he said, “that the chief censor is appearing. The most vital interests of the Empire may he in his hands. I expect lie will plead privilege.”

Air Ostler submitted that the censor is a. New Zealand officer, and as such under the control of the Minister for Defence.

Air Gray: “I am instructed that the chief military censor is appointed by the War Office, and that he acts according to the War Regulations. There are also his deputy officers. The Post Office, however, is willing to give Your Worship any facility to inquire into any regulation in reference to the third charge,”

Air Bishop: “Is the military censor here directly responsible to the Post Office?

Air Gray: “No, he is directly responsible to the chief military censor.”

Air Bishop said he was going to insist upon having absolutely definite and exceptionally particular instructions as to the powers of the Commission. “I must not be in the position of not knowing my powers in relation to the censor, otherwise there must be a difficulty, and I may be misjudged by the public. I am not going to be placed in a false position. I intend to throw the onus

upon the Government. 'lt may he very difficult to deline where the powers commence and end. I must be very careful not in any way to trench upon Imperial matter’s, which may he of the utmost importance to the Empire.” Air Bishop continued that for that reason it would be better fljr him to have the Commission in full in order to know exactly where he was. The inquiry subsequently was adjourned indefinitely.