WRONG NUMBER
SECRETARY AND PREMIER. CANBERRA, March 30. A telephone operator’s mistake had harrowing results for the secretary and the typist of a Federal Minister recently. Both the officials had to go to Sydney on business, and they left instructions that thiir salaries were to be sent to them. When the. money did not arrive, the secretary complained to his Minister —a man nqted for his irascibility. His reply was characteristic, and gave the secretary the impression that he need not mince his words when he made his complaint to the Treasury official responsible.
A telephone call was booked to Canberra. In due time it was put through and the Minister’s typist did net delay in launching her offensive. When she was exhausted the secretary took up the running. The person at the other end made efforts to interrupt, but was not given a chance until the secretary, at length, had to pause for breadth; > Then: “I think you have the wrong number,” the voice from Canberra said mildly. “Is that not Mr. of the Treasury?” the secretary asked. “No, this is Mr. Lyons, the Prime Minister,” was the reply. The horrified secretary dropped the receiver.
But the salaries arrived in doublequick time, and the secretary heard no more of the matter.
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Bibliographic details
Greymouth Evening Star, 19 April 1938, Page 9
Word Count
212WRONG NUMBER Greymouth Evening Star, 19 April 1938, Page 9
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