THE POSTAL CHARGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17091, 24 August 1917, Page 2

THE POSTAL CHARGES

ADDRESSES OF COUNSEL.

(Per United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. Aug-ust 23. Counsels' addresses were taken at the postal inquiry this morning. Mr Gray contended that the Rev. Mr Elliott's charges liad not been, substantiated. Out of 2500 envelopes posted, containing circulars, only nino persons received them empty, and only two persons had been shown as not having received them at all. 'Notices posted to 40 clergymen had been shown to have been delayed. Tho Censor and the Post Office could not be held in any way responsible. He drew a comparison between the figures he quoted and the charges of corruption made by Mr Elliott from a public platform. In one instance, at least, a letter was proved to be wrongly addressed. In a numiber of instances letters were posted with the flaps outside.

Mr Ostler, in replying:, submitted that the function of the Solicitor-general was wholly advisory. He had no right to take independent action in recommending a censorship. Such action he held to be entirely ■unconstitutional without instruction from tiho responsible Minister. Mr Ostler then proceeded to review the ctvidence. While he (counsel) admitted that the Solicitorgeneral was not influenced by-tho Roman Catholic Church, he had directed an illegal act in tihe interests of that Church. The pamphlet which ho censored was not directly connected with tho conduct of the war, and interference with such political literature was an unjustifiable encroachment on the right of free speech. Tho pamphlet related only to the origin of the war, not to .the war itself. The defence that it might load to prejudioo recruiting was obviously elaborated after it was known that a public inquiry was to bo held. Moreover, when a censorship of Box 912 was directed, it was clear that the voluntary recruiting had broken down, and the Military Service Act had been law for four months and a-half.

After Mr Ostler's address tho Commission was declared closed. •'