Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked how many boy telegraph messengers were discharged by the Post Office annually during each of the last three years; and what steps have been taken by the Post Office to secure them employment?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI regret that figures before July, 1907, are not available. For the nine months ended on 31st March, 1908, the number of boy messengers discharged at 16 years of age was 3,012, and for the year ended on 31st March, 1909, 4,322, of whom 924 on leaving secured employment by the aid of the Department. The steps taken by the Post Office to secure employment for these boys include the establishment of an employment register at every head post office, the giving of facilities for improving educational qualifications, and various other measures requiring more detailed description than is possible in the limits of this reply. I may say generally, however, that I regard the present situation as far from satisfactory, and I am giving immediate attention to this very important matter.