A BLOCK OF WORK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10597, 18 February 1896, Page 4

A BLOCK OF WORK.

Press As«ociation-By Telegraph-Copyright.

Perth, February 17. For some week* past the telegraphic service has been badly disorganised, and tbe congestion is becoming more severe every day. Easiness on the Mining Exchange is almost at a standstill owing to inability to obtain advices from the goldfields. Piles of general telegrams are blocked days behind. The action of the Minister in limiting press messages to 500 words per day has roused a storm of hostility, and the press teems with charges against the Minister and the head of tha department of pursuing a chesse-Daring policy, and making no real attempt to grapple ■with the situation.' Both the Minister and the head of the department are described ns slaves of the old oriW of things, who cannot grasp the necessity for the development rendered essential by the progress of the colony. Tbe reorganisation of the department, the erection of new building?, the laying of new and the dnplioation of old lines, and ths payment of salaries which will eoablo competent opsrators to ■be employed are. warmly demanded. Business and mining men strongly complain of delays and losses in business. Traffic on railways is also terribly congested owing to tbe shortage in rolling stock, and merchants are dsclinisg largo quantities of country orders, aa thay cannot obtain carriage facilities. Business people are furious against the departmental heads. Ministers state that they are doing their beat, but they cannot possibly keep pace with the rapid development of business. The Minister for Telegraphs suggests closing the lines nhtil the congested business in clear.