POST AND TELEGRAPHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17571, 9 September 1920, Page 6

POST AND TELEGRAPHS.

•SECOND READING DEBATE. SUGGESTIONS BY MEMBERS. DELIVERY OF CIRCULARS. [BT TELEGRAPH. —PRSSS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON.-.Wednesday. In the House of .Representatives this evening the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. G. Coatee, moved the second reading of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill, which he said was of purely a machinery nature and dealt with the rates of interest payable by the Post Office Savings Bank, the delivery of parcels, packets, etc., the prohibition of the use of private telephone lines for profit, the •licensing Of wireless services to approved colleges or associations, the altering of the date of the Post Office Savings Bank balance to March 31, bringing it into line with all other Government accounts, and the enforcement of penalties for breaches of discipline within the department.

Mr. T. M. Wflford, Leader of the Opposition, congratulated the Government on the provision for licensing wireless apparatus as he knew of several bright young men who were only waiting for this Bill to pass in order to begin their experiments. When they remembered what Professor Rutherford had done in the realm of science, anything that encouraged similar research in wireless telegraphy would be well done. He, however, objected to clause 4 which, he said, was aimed at a particular firm which had built up a business of delivering unaddressed circulars, etc., throughout the Dominion.

The Minister said the clause was nob aimed at that firm.

Mr. Wilford said if that was 60, ho would in Committee move an amendment which would make it clear that the State should have a monopoly of the delivering of addressed matter, but that others should be free to distribute unaddressed handbills or circulars.

Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato) intimated that he would move an amendment covering the omission in last year's legislation regarding the right of certain persons to appeal against the decisions' of the Promotion Board.

Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East) suggested that the Post Office Savings Bank should be placed on the same footing as other banks, on which people had the right to draw cheques. Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) contended that a higher rate of interest should be paid to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank up to £500, which deposits might easily provide all the money required for public works.

Mr. McCombs (Lyttelton) complained that it was wrong to give the department power to fine emplovees " without inquiry" for breaches of discipline. Mr. Coates, in reply, said he had not fullv considered the question of issuing cheques on the Savings Bank. The objection taken to clause 4- was due to some misunderstanding. He claimed that the Post Office was the sole possessor of the right to deliver addressed matter, and he was sorry if the assertion of that right would interfere with the living of any individual. He would favourably consider the amendment suggested bv Mr. Wilford. The amendment mentioned by Mr. Young regarding appeals opened the door widely and reouired careful consideration. The Bill was read a second time.