NO MINISTER CAN INTERFERE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18960, 6 January 1930, Page 15

NO MINISTER CAN INTERFERE.

POSITION OF DISMISSED TELEGRAPH OFFICERS.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, January 4.

The following statement was made this afternoon by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon Sir Joseph Ward) concerning the dismissal of certain men in the Auckland Telegraph Office:— “ I have taken the opportunity of seeing the official papers, and it is quite clear that the charge made against the officers and held proved by the Magistrate was of divulging the contents of telegrams passing through the office. Everyone will realise the greatest importance of maintaining secrecy in the Telegraph Office, and there is no doubt that the service rendered by the Telegraph Offices would be of little value both commercially and privately if the strictest secrecy were not maintained.

“ The law of the country is, and this is confirmed by the law officers of the Crown, that the Secretary of the Post Office has complete control of the staff, and his decision in disciplinary matters can be reviewed only by the Board of Appeal, which board the dismissed men have to approach. A previous Parliament put this law* into effect with the object of ensuring non-political control of the State services, and the Government has no authority to rescind or deal with the charges against these officers. Under the Act it is removed from the control of the PostmasterGeneral or any Minister to deal with.”