Mr Scott Denies Lax Security

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 36

Mr Scott Denies Lax Security

(New Zealand Press Association) ( WELLINGTON, April 19. The Postmaster-General (Mr Scott)' today denied criticisms of Post Office security precautions and said he hoped it was clear that the $51,000 stolen from the Blenheim Post Office at Easter was taken from a strong-room broken into with gas-cutting tools.

Mr Scott was replying to criticism made at a meeting of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce last night where one member accused the Post Office of apparently being “exceedingly lax” in its security arrangements. Mr Scott said the security arrangements adopted by the Post Office up to this time had not been confined to the provision of safes and vaults. For many years these security arrangements had proved satisfactory, he said. Mr Scott said a detailed description of the security arrangements could only be regarded as being of assistance to those of criminal intent. “This matter, of course, is still under police investigation and I do not wish to say anything at this stage which

might in any way impede the inquiries that are being made by the police,” he said. Mr Scott said: “There is no doubt that this was a major and serious crime and from what has emerged so far it would appear it was carefully planned and expertly carried out. “The incident at Blenheim undoubtedly calls for a review of security measures, and this is now being undertaken.”