POSTAGE RATES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17861, 6 September 1923, Page 8

POSTAGE RATES.

THE LATEST REDUCTIONS.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER.

(PBES3 ASSJai/noN ii'irr.3iU.) WELLINGTON, September 5 "I am now in a position," stated the Hon. J. G. Coates, Postmaster-Gen-era], to-day, "to make a full statement regarding the reduced rates of postayo winch are to come into force on October Ist. In doing so, I desire to say that the postage rates for letters, postcards, inland packets, and newspapers were reduced from February Ist last. Each of these rates, with the exception of the newspaper rate, which is' now at bedrock, i.e., id per paper, will bo further reduced in October. In addition, the magazine rate will bo reduced, as I announced in December last. "It was hoped during the session of Parliament last year to reintroduce at an early date, the penny letter rate, but the "financial position was such that r'or tno t ebruary reduction the Department was unable to recommend a Jower letter rate than lid. After carefully reviewing the financial position, iii wa2 ueuiui-'clj as uiinyunceti in Uie tiiiit ii> is uow iiussiuib W reinu'ouuto penny postage. ihft peiuiv, rate will apply to. letters adlor delivtuy in iSew Zealand and ail parts ot u.o British. and tiiost) ioreigri counvries the leLter rate lor wincu is now l£d. ' It is explained that the New Zealand Post Orliec was prepared to accept at the rat® of Id per ounce tetters addressed to any, country, but certain counting i.e./tnose tor which the letter rate is now 2|d, will not accept letters, Wt> postage paid on which is less tnan li-jd. "Tho present rates and tile rates to bo adopted trom October Ist are a» follow: — Letters (inland). —Present; rates Ijd for tho first 2oz or fraction themoi, and Id for each additional 2oz or iraution thereof. New rates —id for the first ounce or fraction thereof, and id foi each additional ounce or fraction thereof. Letters (within the British Empire and to certain foreign countries). — Present rate lid for the first ounce or fraction thereof and lcl for each additional ounce or fraction thoreoi. New rates —Id for each ounce or fraction thereof. Postcards (inland). —Present rate: Single Id, reply 2d. New rate: Single sd, roply Id. Packets (inland), comprising commercial paper*, boons, and jmntea papers, pattern and sample packets, aild Unregistered magazines.—Present rate Id for the first 2oz or traction thereof; over but not exceeding 4oz, lid; and ljd for' each additional 40z OT fraction thereot up to lib, and 2d for each additional pouncL lip to slb. New rates —Jd for each 2oz or fraction tkerof up to 21b, and 2d for each additional pound or fraction thereof up to 51b, Magazines "(registered, inland): Present rate: each copy not exceeding Boz, 2d; each additional Boz or fraction thereof, Id. Netv rate : Each copy i.yt exceeding Boz, ldj each additional Soz or fraction thereof, Id. "It will be observed,'' th© Minister went on to say, "that in addition to the very low rate for letters, tho rates to be adopted for postcards, inland packets comprising commercial papers, including tradesmen's accounts, books, and printed pattern and sample packets, and unregistered magazines and registered magazines, are also very low."

Advertising Mattel 1 .

"As regards th© rate for printed papers, it is recognised that the former high rate was responsible for reduoed postings of advertising matter. There has long been a public demand for a halfpenny rate for such fatter. Now that the halfpenny rate is to be reintroduced, conductors of publicity campaigns will again have at hand a cheap and reliable means for the distribution of advertising matter. Advertising by post nrior to the increased rates was very largely used oh account of it enabling the advertiser to get into direct and personal touch with the public. With the minimum rat© at id for 2oz, it is anticipated that there will be a large increase in the amount of advertising matter posted, in which caso the reduction will justify itself. Cheapest Postage in the World. "As announced in the Budget it is anticipated that the October reduction will mean a temporary loss of revenue approximating £250,0U0 per annum. The Department hopes with the reduction of postage rates to tho lowest possible level" on both letters and sec-ond-class matter, there will be an increase in postings pro rata vith the increase in population and buoyancy of trade, as obtained several yeara ago. Some years ago statistics published i-J" the Universal Postal Union showed that New Zealand exceeded til countries in the number of letters and pjf -- cards posted per head <,f population, the average number of tctt irs :u'd postcards posted annually by '.ach pi?r, woman and child in 1:e Dijitlircmn working out 97.1. S:> far as 'S kno'-vn. New Zealand still holds the leadir.g position. No doubt th© valio t ) some extent was duo to the low ;ates ot postage which formerly obtained From October Ist next New Zealand will again enjoy the cheipiSt rates ci postage in the world.