THE VOUCHER EPISODE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8280, 23 October 1905, Page 5

THE VOUCHER EPISODE.

Charge Against Postal Officials.

Commissioners' Report.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

Wellington, This Day.

The report of the inquiry, re charges against the Christchurch post office officials, was laid on the table of the House this morning.

The Commissioners find that Willis, Larcombe and West committed a grave breach of regulation No. 44 of Post and Telegraph Regulations, which provides that no officer may make public any official communication which he may receive.

With regard to the fidelity declaration made by Willis when he entered the service, the Commissioners are inclined to tho opinion that a breach thereof had not been established.

The evidence disclosed that Willis was, throughout, the prime mover in the matters complained of and the Commissioners venture to express an opinion that Willis' offences are much more serious than those of the other officers.

The Commissioners consider that Larcombe, in giving information to his wife as to the alleged Seddon voucher, acted unwittingly and without intention that it should be made public, and that in other respects he was influenced by Willis.

Similar comments are made in respect to the charges against West. The Commis-' sioners do not think Lundon's conduct amounted to a breach of the regulations on fidelity declaration. The Commissioners suggest (1) That fidelity declaration now in use in Post and Telegraph Depar" tment requires amending (2) That the fidelity declaration be made by every public servant when he enters service ; (3) From evidence given we are convinced that some of the officers of the public service are of opinion that all members of Parliament are entitled to obtain from the officers of any Government department information which would not be given to ordinary individuals. This impression should at once be removed, and that regulations be made setting forth how, from whom, and under what conditions members of Parliament may obtain information from Departments of State.

[A further portion of the report was coming to hand as went to press.]