USE OF AUTOMATIC STAMPING MACHINES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 246, 12 July 1921, Page 5

USE OF AUTOMATIC STAMPING MACHINES

COMPLAINTS FROM DUNEDIN. As the result of a recent meeting in Dunedin of users of automatic stamping machines, the following resolution was passed by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. and forwarded to the Wellington chamber:—“That the chamber be requested to protest to the Secretary of tho General Post Office, on behalf of the users of automatic stamping machines,* against the action of the Department in threatening withdrawal of the license for the use of these machines, which were purchased on the distinct understanding that thev would be licensed until replaced bv the latest model.” "I am instructed," wrote the secretary of the Dunedin chamber, in forwarding this resolution, “to say that there was a very strong feeling of indignation expressed at. the meeting bj users, vho felt that they were being unfairly treated bv the demand that the machines should be replaced, in view of the assurances given when they were purchased. Even purchasers of the more modern machines felt that they had no certainty of tenure, and that for them also the position is very satisfactory. A strong opinion was expressed that it would be much more satisfactory if the whole matter were controlled by the Department, so that in the event of any difficulty arising in future there could be no question of a ‘triangular duel’ between the users, the manufacturing company, and the Post Office.”

Tho secretary of the Wellington chamber (Mr. H. D. Vickery) said that, he had consulted the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department."that morning. As far back as 1,915 the Department had given notice to users that tho machines would have to be replaced, as they were not satistnctor.y—they could be manipulated. The unggiatioii was made that the old type of imichine might be replaced bv a new model that was thought to he more satisfactory. These machines were introduced fifteen or sixteen years ago. They wore io have been replaced nt the rate of one hundred a year, but tha war made that impossible. Now the Department, was pressing users to have the machines replaced. The machine was run by a New Zealand company, and was a New Zealand device. One member said that Dunedin was going through the trouble that Wellington had gone through two or three years ago. It would be a. calamity, another member said, to do awn.y with tho ma.chines, a« they were Ii very real convenience in offices. It was agreed that tho chamber oould not do anything in the matter in view of the information they had gained from the Department.