NIGHTLY MAIL CLEARANCE

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 4

NIGHTLY MAIL CLEARANCE

Minister ’To Be Interviewed

VIEWS OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

After receiving a letter from the Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb) explaining the Government’s attitude to the reinstitution of the nightly clearance of mail posting boxes in Invercargill, the, Invercargill Chamber of Commerce yesterday appointed Mr W. Grieve to interview the Post-master-General and place its views before him. It was decided also to approach the City Council and the Southland Progress League and ask them to appoint representatives to interview ,the Minister, or if that was not possible, to authorize Mr Grieve to represent them.

The Minister’s letter stated that it had been decided to discontinue the night clearances in Invercargill as well as in a number of other centres because of the urgent need' for conserving petrol. The suggestion that the clearances should be made by bicycle was not considered practicable. The distance to be covered, particularly in bad weather, would be too great for one officer and the employment of several 'officers on the work would involve considerable additional expenditure. A copy of the letter which had been sent by the Southland Progress League to the Postmaster-General protesting against the inadequacy of the service was received.

Mr A. Wachner said he was sure that if the ratepayers would give the City Council a lead, it would take the matter up. The council felt that ratepayers should get the service they desired.

In his view, said the chairman (Mr A. le H. Hoyles), the chamber should send a deputation to Wellington. Mr Grieve said he would be in Wellington next week and he offered to act for the chamber.

Mr D. J. Wesney suggested that the City Council, the chamber and the Progress League should combine in their representations. On the motion of Mr J. H. Reed, it was decided to appoint Mr Grieve to interview the Minister and to solicit the support of the league and the council. He wished to make it clear, said Mr Reed, that his motion made no reflection on the chief postmaster (Mr H. Miller), who had at all times done all he could to help the chamber. The motion was intended to see _ if some harmony between the authorities and the public could be obtained.