PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15512, 12 February 1916, Page 7

PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS.

THE POSTAGE RATES,

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, February 11

Complaints have been made regarding the rates of postage on parcels intended for our men at the front. The Post-master-General informed a reporter today that he had enquired into this matter, and found that the Postal Department was making no profit at all on the handling of parcels, the rates charged •being actually below the cost of the service. The ordinary rates on parcels to Egypt via Colombo and Suez were: Up to 31b, 2s 8d: 31b to 71b, 4s -kl; 71b to 111b, 6s. The New Zealand postal authorities wanted fo reduce this rate in the interests of the soldiers, and tliev agreed to waive their share of the total charge, namely, 4d, 7d, and Is on the three classes respectively. It was arranged that parcels should te sent via Australia and Suez and the Commonwealth Administration, on the representations o£ New Zealand, agreed to the reduced charges. The Egyptian Administration was then approached, and agreed to lower its charges by 2Jd on each of the three classes. The results of the efforts made bv the New-Zealand authorities are shown in the following table: Old Rate. Present Rate. Up to 31b ... 2 8 11* 31b to 71b ... 4 4 2 74 - 71b to 111b... G O 4 15 The extra war charge of Jd has to be added in each case. The New Zealand Post Office agreed to abandon its inland charge on parcels from Egypt. The rates for parcels sent to Egypt via London are lower ■ than those Quoted, the . charges for the three classes being Is, 2s, and 3s respectively, but this route is not recommended since the time occupied in transit is materialiv increased. '•It will bo seen that the New Zealand Post Office is not making a profit out of soldiers' parcels," added the