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The world has been subdivided into three regions for the allocation of radio frequencies, and the Preparatory Committee was concerned with effecting a co-ordination of frequency requirements, assembling such data as was available, and drawing up a suggested agenda for the conference of Region 3 countries—i.e., countries in South and East Asia and the Pacific areas—including Australia and New Zealand. (5) A meeting of the International Radio Consultative Committee, which was held at Stockholm from the 12th to the 31st July, and was the first plenary meeting of the Committee since the war. The Committee is one of the permanent organs of the International Telecommunication Union, and its duty is to study technical radio questions and certain operating questions and to issue recommendations on them to the members of the Union. The meeting at Stockholm was attended by representatives of twenty-eight countries, and six other countries were represented by proxy. MONEY-ORDER AND SAVINGS-BANK SERVICES SAVINGS-BANK FACILITIES The Post Office Savings-bank continued to cater for the savings needs of the people through the 957 offices at which savings-bank business can be transacted. The policy of extending savings-bank facilities to the public has been further pursued by the opening of an additional 43 savings-bank ledger offices. There are now 148 ledger offices at which depositors whose accounts are kept at those offices can make withdrawals on demand. About 96 per cent, of all depositors are thus provided with a no-delay withdrawal service, while the remaining 4 per cent, can obtain withdrawals by free telegram with a minimum of delay. It is felt that better facilities for withdrawal encourage thrift in that when depositors know they can withdraw the money easily they are likely to increase their deposits and thus eventually leave a greater residue in the bank than would otherwise be the case. Machine Accounting The policy of installing ledger-posting machines was extended during the year, machines being installed at the Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch savings-bank offices. There are now twenty-four offices operating with mechanized ledgers, and it is intended during the coming year to install machines at several of the remaining larger ledger offices. Where these machines have been installed overtime has been practically eliminated. Withdrawals by Telegraph The system of providing telegraphic withdrawals from savings-bank accounts was extended during the year, provision being made for depositors' applications to be telegraphed from any office in New Zealand and for free telegraph withdrawals within a postal district. Previously telegraphic withdrawals were available only when the application was made at an office within the same postal district as the ledger office, and depositors had to pay a fee for each withdrawal. The free service within a postal district enables those depositors who reside outside the areas served by ledger offices to be given almost the equivalent of a demand withdrawal service. The country-wide telegraphic withdrawal service is proving most convenient for persons travelling.

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