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(c) A page of a letter from a Wellington resident to his son In the Middle East was returned by the son with part of a sentence excised. What tho particular words were the father could not remember, but the sentences before and after the excision were political in so far as they commented on the result of the general election. (d) A newspaper was addressed to a civilian in Egypt, but transmission was prohibited by censorship order. Explanation: Newspapers addressed to civilians in Egypt are prohibited by English War Regulations, and New Zealand follows British practice. This does not apply to newspapers sent to troops. (e) A letter addressed by a father to his son, a prisoner of war, was returned by the Censor. Explanation: Under International Convention the length of letters addressed to prisoners of war is limited to one sheet of ordinary note-paper, both sides of which may be written on. No reference to the naval, military, political, or economic situation is allowed. The reason for returning this letter was its length. if) Letters from a northern area in New Zealand were opened by the Censor over a period of about a month. Explanation: The military authorities were carrying out certain experiments in the area and the Security Service had requested that all letters from the Whangaparaoa Peninsula area be censored during the period of the experiments. This censorship has now ceased. (g) A soldier's letter from the Middle East was censored twice in Italy by military Censors and was alleged to have been opened by a Censor in New Zealand. Positive evidence was given that the letter had not been opened by a Censor in New Zealand. (h) The correspondence of a certain family in New Zealand was being opened by the Censor. Evidence was given that this correspondence was being censored at the request of the police and the Security Service. 5. It is not possible to examine all private letters without a greatly increased staff, but all air-mail letters are subject to a careful censorship, as well as the correspondence of aliens within New Zealand. Conclusion.—lt is clear, and was admitted, that some errors of judgment were made by Censors. The Committee, however, is of opinion that the postal censorship has been carried out with a maximum of consideration for the convenience and susceptibilities of the public, having due regard to the vital, security duties involved. 13th October, 1944. H. E. Combs, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (358 eopies), £4 1

Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.- 1945.

Price d 3.]

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