MONEY ORDERS FOR ABROAD

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22767, 20 July 1939, Page 10

MONEY ORDERS FOR ABROAD

RESTRICTIONS ON ISSUE SMALL APPLICATIONS DECLINED The issue of money orders for such small amouunts as 10s 6d as payment from New Zealand firms tc overseas businesses for services rendered has in some instances been blocked by the Post Office within the last few days. Under the present legislation application for permission for money orders to go outside the Dominion has first to be made to Wellington; and some applications made there within the last few days have been returned marked “declined.” Solicitors in the city with money to send to overseas clients—some of them with money under maintenance orders—have met with similar refusals. For some time there has been a check on bigger amounts, but the application of the restriction to amounts reckoned in shillings rather than pounds was unexpected by city firms affected. Included in their number is the Christchurch Press Company, Ltd., which in the last few days had several applications to send small sums overseas returned marked “declined.” The only apparent course open to the firms affected is to apply for bank drafts, through the trading banks, to cover the amounts, an unusual procedure for such small amounts. Hundreds of such routine payments have in previous years been made as a matter of ordinary business routine.