A PROTEST.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19814, 30 December 1929, Page 7

A PROTEST.

TELEGRAPH STAFF INDIGNANT.

{THE PRESS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, December 28.

"Had a bomb been dropped on the Auckland Telegraph Office, it could not have caused more surprise than the dismissal of the six members concerned in the recent enquiry," said a P. and T. official this morning when discussing the "sentence." "In view of the evidence tendered at the Magisterial enquiry, we were of opinion that the worst that would happen would be a caution or probably a fine. No one ever dreamed for a moment that dismissals would be ordered. Such a sentence is quite unreasonable when one considers the nature of the alleged offences, and the staff is at a loss to explain the quite unexpected severity —in fact, one might say harshness —of the decision. The sentence is neither humane nor just, and unless something is done to review it, much harm will be done throughout the service." The staff has sent the following telegram to the Postmaster-General (the Eight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward):—"Six officers of the Auckland telegraph office lmve received notice of instant dismissal through alleged betting over tho telephone. The sentence imposed is, in our opinion, out of all proportion to the alleged offences. This branch most emphatically protests, and asks that you immediately give your personal attention to this most urgent and serious matter, with a view to a more humane sentence being imposed." The men are smarting under what they consider a most unjust sentence, and the matter is to be taken before the Post and Telegraph Appeal Board, the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association having already taken action in that direction. In the meantime the staffs of the Post Office are getting in touch with local members of Parliament to see if something cannot be done to have the sentences revised. As it is intended to publish the nature of the charges and the reasons of the Post and Telegraph Department for dismissing the six men, the public will have opportunity of judging whether or not the men have been harshly treated. It is learned that twelve men out of a staff of 155 were questioned after the inspectors had listened in by secret wire. One was able to prove that his conversation over the tapped wire did not refer to betting. Two others discussed betting with their wives, and one frankly admitted betting. Nine men were concerned in the enquiry held by the Magistrate, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M Seven were pronounced guilty, six of them were dismissed, and the seventh was transferred to another branch. In addition to members of the staff outsiders were called to give evidence at the enquiry. As soon as the six men received their notices of instant dismissal yesterday, they relinquished their duties.