The "Voucher" Sequel.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12994, 23 October 1905, Page 7

The "Voucher" Sequel.

j REPOBT REGARDING POSTAL OF FICIALS. :• Per Press Association. - '. , , -.>-•"',. Wellington. Oct. 23. , The, report of k, t.he % incj^iry, * re., the charges against. 4 the four Christehiirch pqst ofiice .officials was laid ott - the table of the House this morning. '- The Qomimissioners find that Willis,! Larcombe, ..'and West committed a grave breach of regulation . No. 44 of the Post and Telegraph Kegulations, which, provide, that no officer^ miay make "public any. official com.tuiraication .which, he jmay .receive., .With regard ■ to, ; the ; fideJLty \ declaration made by .Willis .when; he.entered^the Service, the Gommisgioriers. are': inclined to the opinion that a breach thereof hati not been 'established. 'The evidence disclosed , that rWillisi t,was throughout the v prime mover' 1 in the matters 6omplained - of, and the Commissioners venture t to'<^xpEess"thS opinion < tha'l Willis's offences are* "much more serious than thQse x)fr<fche, other oflicerf}/'- ' Thte Commissioners • consider- ■ ' that Larcombe.' in giving infornuaiiion" to his wife K as to- 'the alleged Seddon^ -voucher, acted -_ "unwittingly and, wrtliout intention" that it shpaild be made pufclic, - and that in other respects h<? was influenced by- Willis. Similar comihoifNi l are'*Anade iv rcspeot to . clrargea «' The „ Commissioners! •d<V iK»]t - thihk tJiiat Lundon'^ ooaduct'iamottafeed to a breach- of the ?regulati | on 9 '; .rtr : of his < fidelity iieclarataon.' • , l The Conimission'ers suggesjt." : (1) That'^ the fidelity 'decraratibn now Jo use -in tire <Pds.t' >w&" T^tegf apH DepWrt- \ men ; t"rec(uires y dm&mling ;' (2) That a\\ (IdeliW/;declaration. ,be .made by.tevery ' public servant when me; renters;, the •* service ; (3) Frxjni ihe, evidence giv^n ' we are convinced some officers in - the >l public service ar.e of opinion that all j merrJbers oi Parliament- are entitled to > obtain from; officers of' any " ? . Gover- !• meni '' Department information' which j would; not, 1 be ; giyen ito . ortdinary individuals.,^ This impreissionv should \- at y once be removed, and regulations Jmade', setting forth how, from, -vvhotn, : aud under what condrtibns members of j Parliamenft ; may obtain ' mforroatioii \ from*Departm'ent^ - of" the State. L "