TELEGRAPH SECRECY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 863, 6 January 1930, Page 8

TELEGRAPH SECRECY

REASON FOR POST OFFICE DISMISSALS PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT Press Association WELLINGTON, Saturday* The following statement was ma<M this afternoon by the Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward, concerning the dismissal of certain men in the Auci* land telegraph office: — “I have taken the opportunity of sea* ing the official papers, and it is quite clear that the charge made against the officers, and held proved by the magistrate, was of divulging the contents of telegrams passing through the office. Everyone will realise the great importance of maintaining secrecy in the telegraph office, and there is no doubt that the service rendered by the telegraph offices would be of little value, both commercially and privately, if the strictest secrecy werq not maintained. “The law of the country is, and this is confirmed by the law officers of the Crown, that the secretary of the Post Office has complete control of the staff and his decision in disciplinary matters can be reviewed only by the Board of Appeal, which board the dismissed men have to approach. A previous Parliament put this law into effect with the object of ensuring nonpolitical control of the State services, and the Government has no authority to rescind or deal with the charges against these officers. Under the Act the matter is removed from the control of the Postmaster-General or any Minister/*