“TOO MUCH FUSS BEING MADE” 4 '

Southland Times, Issue 24235, 19 September 1940, Page 6

“TOO MUCH FUSS BEING MADE” 4 '

Night Clearance Of

Mails „

MR DENHAM’S CRITICISM

“I think that too much fuss is being made by the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce about the nightly clearance of mail boxes in Invercargill,” said Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., in a statement which he made last night. ’ “We all know that the general public is put to some inconvenience through the department cutting out the night clearance of mail boxes,” he said. “I have discussed the matter fully with the Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb) and with the Director-General of the .Post and Telegraph Department (Mr J. G. Young) on at least two occasions, and I urged , the restoration of the night clearance in Invercargill. The Minister, however, decided on a compromise, and had mail boxes placed on tram-cars at certain hours during the evening.

“I think that in the circumstances this arrangement should be accepted, at least in the meantime. The saving of petrol by the department and, the lessening of work for a very depleted and overworked staff, thousands of whom are in military service throughout the Dominion, is very considerable, and is a valuable contribution to the war effort.

“Although the restricted mail collection has similarly affected other towns throughout New Zealand, they are putting up with the inconvenience without complaining. One can safely say that 95 per cent, of the letters posted in the suburbs in this city are domestic correspondence, and that those who send these letters and those who receive them do not mind very much if a few hours more are taken in transmission than under the other method. “The introduction of the restricted mail clearances will help the Government to aid the Motherland in the present terrific struggle. Our own flesh and blood are making big sacrifices and are putting up a desperate fight on our behalf, and any inconvenience we might suffer in connection with mails is of very little consequence. “The attitude of the Chamber of Commerce in persisting with the complaint does not compare very favourably with the magnificent effort made by the people of Southland in raising the sum of £21,000 in a few weeks for the Fighter Aeroplane Fund.”