POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13162, 8 July 1908, Page 3

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

REMARKABLE GROWTH OF MUSINESS. (srsriAL to "the peess.") WELLINGTON, July 7. Tho annual report ef the Post and Telegraph Department was laid on the table of the House of Representatives this afternoon. The report refers to the eminently satisfactory results that have followed the Department's »x)licy of reducing charge; and providing increased facilities wherever possible. "Were tho 1891 rates in vegue at the present time," states the report, "the postages on mail matter of alj kinds carried would have amounted to £676,136, instead of £441,776 actually received. Ordinary paid telegrams would have cost £020,287, instead of £201.724, and ex-?nb.srribers would have paid £146,0&5, in place of £116.853; thus on these main iioms alone the public last year saved £'337.155, a vcrv considerable item on the "total of £760,353, which it expended. Reduced rates invariably mean increased business; letters and otiier mail matter which were aoalt with last year numbered 120,41R,000, compared with $1,122,000 m 1901 and 37,050,000 in 1891, tho percentage of increase in these cases being 54 over 1901 and 233 over 1891. Telegrams show an even greater proportional advance. From 1,968,000 in 1891 they rose to 4,167,000 in 1901. and to 7 042,000 in the year just closed, which therefore exceeded 1901 by 69 per cent. Tho permanent stp.fT in 1891 numbered 1409, and in 1907 it totalled 314/. In spite of the steady decreases in rates, the revenue has* increased from £320,053 in 1891 to £488,573 in 1901 and to £822,639 in the year just closed, while tho exnenditure for tho same periods amounted to £268,348, £405,756, and £709,025 respectively, that is to say, whereas tho revenue with smaller charges for work performed, has increased since 1891 by 157 per cent., the expenditure, with tho greatly increased staff and other facilities required, has increased 164 per cent, as a result, which roav be regarded as highly satisfactory!" The report quotes detailed figures, showing the remarkable growth of the business of the Department.