Western Australia - 1900-1917.
Telegraphic Money Orders.


The Western Australian Times of 27 July 1875 informed its readers that "The Postmaster-General has arranged for the introduction of the Electric Telegraph Money Order system between this Colony and Queensland and South Australia". But three years later, the Inquirer noted on 30 October 1878:

"Amongst the improvements required in our telegraphic communication is the introduction of the telegraphic Money Order system, similar to that in vogue in the other colonies.

The advantages of the system are so obvious, and the expense of administering it so trifling, that I cannot but be surprised it has not been established here simultaneously with the other colonies. I think the matter should engage the serious attention of the authorities, as I am aware that many have been put to great inconvenience and expense both here and on t'other side owing to the fact that telegraphic money orders are not negotiable here.

It is by no means necessary that the system should be made general throughout the colony; all that is required is that such orders be negotiable between the General Post Office here and the General Post Offices in the other colonies. I am aware that many persons, under the impression that this safe, expeditious, and convenient system was in vogue here, have remitted such orders and, owing to their being subsequently cancelled, have been put to no little trouble and expense".

On 14 August 1885, the Daily News reported "The Postmaster General notifies that Telegraph Money Orders may be obtained at the' General Post Office on the Colonies of South Australia and New South Wales". So inter-colonial NOT intra-colonial. That situation contributed to considerable confusion as to whether the system operated or not. On 11 February 1887, the Daily News reported on information from one of its readers:

"C. A. S. writes us complaining of the telegraph money-order system not being in force in this Colony. Our correspondent says: 'Yesterday (Thursday) I received a telegram from Albany, requesting me to forward to the sender a certain sum of money without delay. Thereupon I made inquiries at the Central Telegraph Office when, to my profound astonishmen, I learnt that, though I could send a telegraphic money-order from Perth to any town in the other Australian Colonies, I could not send one to a town within the boundaries of this province".

Finally, the Coolgardie Miner of 2 September 1896 was able to report a positive development:

"The system of telegraphic money money orders between the principal centres of the colony comes into force to-day. Hitherto, although Western Australia reciprocated with the Eastern colonies in the direction of telegraphic money orders, the system has not been in force internally, and thus a curious anomaly existed, it being possible to telegraph money from, say, Coolgardie to Adelaide, and vice-versa, while it was not possible between Coolgardie and Perth. At present it is only intended to apply the new system to the more important money order offices which have telegraphic communication in the colony".

On 16 February 1887, the West Australian reported news in the form of "a letter from the Postmaster General stating that, the Mayor's suggestion to extend the telegraphic money order system to the Northern settlements had been considered, and that it was in contemplation to introduce the system throughout the colony as soon as the necessary arrangements were completed". So almost a fait accompli!!

As a farewell to the Century, the Evening Star continued its criticism of the Telegraphic Money Order system as it operated in Western Australia:

"We do not know at the moment whether the Postmaster-General be a money lender by profession. If not one of the cent for cent species active operation, he must have relations in the trade. For nothing else would induce the methods of the postal system with regard to telegraphic money orders.

When demand is great, it is in the natural order of things that the price of the article in demand should rise. But there is a vast difference between reasonable advantage of the demand, and a Shylock-like battening on the needs of the public. This is the position the Minister of the Postal Department adopts.

When money is desired to be sent by wire, the matter is generally urgent and cannot well be profitably sent any other way. This is the Postal Shylock's opportunity. To send a money order for a pound by post is sixpence. To send a pound by wire is:

  • the usual sixpence commission;
  • a shilling for the wire;
  • another shilling for a private advice wire without which the money will not be paid; and
  • another shilling is deducted to allow of a check wire for the use of the Department.

Thus when a person is in need, or the matter of payment is urgent, the Department charges 150 per cent above ordinary rates. Three and sixpence on the pound is enough to call for a usury law to protect the ratepayers against their own administrative servants. This certainly is a little matter that requires looking into".

 

The Eastern Recorder published at Kellerberrin on 17 April 1914 published the following apocryphal story:

"You can't get a Money Order for more than £100 can you?"

"Don't you believe it. I got one the other day for £200."

"Through the post-office?"

"Yes. My wife telegraphed: Send me £200 at once".
WA-MO-1: Receipt for a Money Order for £15 sent from Kalgoorlie to Melbourne on 17 December 1948.