§ SIR C. HILL (Shrewsbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to a public speech made by Mr. Dowling, a postman at Maryborough, containing an attack on the Chairman and other Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Post Office Servants; and what action he intends to take, or has taken, in regard to it.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONMy attention was called to a public speech made at Maryborough by a postman named Dowling, who, I may mention, had received an increase of 3s. a week in his maximum pay as the result of the recent reclassification. The speech contained imputations on the good faith of the Chairman, as well as a gross personal attack on him and on other Members of the recent Select Committee on Post Office Servants, because of their action as Members of the Committee. When asked for an explanation, Dowling made no adequate withdrawal or apology, and I decided that his two good conduct stripes should be forfeited and that he should be severely reprimanded. I feel sure that the House will concur in the view that it was necessary to take serious notice of Dowling's conduct.