A GROSS TYRANNY : A RIGHT TO OPEN LETTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8319, 28 July 1890, Page 3

A GROSS TYRANNY : A RIGHT TO OPEN LETTERS.

TO TllK KDITOII. Sir,—ln the recent Wellington correspondence I read the following: — "Wellington, July 8, 1890. Since our Legislature some few years ago enacted that racing ' consultations' should no longer be permitted in the colony thousands of pounds have annually been sent from here to Sydney for that purpose. Though attention has repeatedly been drawn to the fact no action was taken till a sitting of the Postal Conference some three months ago, when, on the motion of the Postmaster-General for Victoria, a resolution was carried that consultations should not be allowed in Australasia. In accordance with the action then taken Mr. Mitchelson has prepared the Post Office Amendment Bill, the object of which is to permit the postal authorities to open and detain all letters forwarded from or received in New Zealand which they have reason to believe contain moneys for sweeps, such proceeds to swell the revenue. This step will, it is believed, stop the outflow of money for racing purposes, which has of late years become a serious matter." If this be true so grave a proposal demands the deliberation and assent of the people of New Zealand. " Unhappy Russia "is the only country, I believe, where so tyrannical an infringement of a subject's rights is allowed. We shall do well to consider the abuses such license might lead to. Postal officials are no better and no worse than other people. Any " Paul Pry "in oflico could give uncontrolled rein to his passion. Needy officials might be bribed to open and divulge the contents of letters. No longer would the seal of a letter be held inviolable, or the action of opening a letter belonging to another person be held base and dishonourable. ' And then consider the audacity of the proposal. The Government intends to treat as contraband moneys which they deem-meant for sweeps or money won in another country beyond their jurisdiction? Of course, if this becomes law, all letters can be opened, as moneys remitted to or from the suspected place can be posted via anywhere. I shall be glad if you can find room for this letter in your paper, and by so doing direct the attention of the public to so pernicious a piece of legislation. — [ am, etc., C. dk V. Tksciikmakkr, Avondale Station, Marlborough, July In, ISiK).