§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the services of a female rural letter-carrier in the Ballinalee sub-district were recently dispensed with unless the girl would consent to a reduction of her wages from 6s. 9d. per week to 3s. 6d.; whether it is the practice of his Department to make such reductions; whether the girl's place has since been filled; and, if so, at what wages?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe services of the female letter-carrier referred to have not been dispensed with. The wages of part-time officers are regulated by the number of hours for which they are employed, and in the instance in question the hours of employment were reduced in connection with certain rearrangements which were deemed necessary in the local postal service.