A CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9063, 11 April 1908, Page 5

A CRISIS.

MR DEAKIN SUFFERS A REVERSE. FEDERAL POST OFFICE DISORGANISATION. Received April 9, 9.28 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 10. At a late hour last night, the Hon. A. Deakin, Federal Premier, suffered a reverse which caused him to adjourn the House till Wednesday, in order that the Government might consider the position. The crisis arose out o£ a motion moved by Mr Webster, for the appointment of a Royal Commission to supersede the Cabinet Committee now about to commence an inqui-y into the Post Office disorganisation. Tha adjournment of the debate was moved, in which the Ministerialists were defeated by 31 to 28, and the Hon. A . Deakin intimated that he accepted it as a censure on the Government. What the result would be depended largely upon the Labour Party, but as the caucus was not solid on Mr Webster's proposal it was probable that matters would be smoothed over. Received April 10, 11.47 a..m. MELBOURNE, April 10. The political situation is causing much speculation. The Ministers held a consultation, and a Labour caucus discussed the situation today. Mr Deakin and Sir Wm. Lyne also confeired with Messrs Fisher and Watson Many rumours are current. One is that Mr Deakin intends to retire and Sir Wm. Lvne will attempt to form a Coalition Administration, with the Labour Party. It is stated that strong pressure is being brought to bear on Mr Deakin to induce him to take another view of the situation.

Complaints have been rife lately about the work of the Post Office, and the subject has been frequently raised in Parliament. Allegations of sweating have been made against the Department"The present difficulties indeed simply resolve themselves into an expi'ession of the fact that it has fallen behind the times," says the "Sydney Morning Hertald." "It may be costly to be always up-to-date, but it pays. The sooner we recognise that a better paid Postal Department will be in the end a cheaper Department the sooner we shall be on the road to improvement. As it is the service is undermanned and underpaid —not to say .sweated from time to time, as necessity arises. The present situation is in fact as trying to officers of the Department as it is to the public. Many, most perhaps, of these do all they possibly can to cope with the difficulties that overcome them; and many, of codrse, are experts of the highest attainments. But individual excellence is swamped in the general incoherence, for which we must blame the political masters of the situation rather than individuals in the service. No doubt, however, good has been done by the •ventilation of so many grievances with'n the last few months. The public demand is unmistakable. A more efficient service must be forthcoming."