Extra Halfpenny Postage In Force For Year

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30897, 2 November 1965, Page 13

Extra Halfpenny Postage In Force For Year

Questions on overseas Christmas mail charges, raised by H. G. Reeves in a letter to the Editor of “The Press,” are answered by the Chief Post master at Christchurch (Mr J. W. Lincoln). The correspondent’s letter was:—

“In accordance with the Post Office instructions to ‘post early’ for the United Kingdom, I posted a bundle of Christmas cards during the week, affixing our N.Z. Christmas threepenny stamps. It appears I have posted my cards too early, for in your Saturday’s issue, 1 was astounded to read that 1 should have added a halfpenny stamp to each of my envelopes. This' was the first intimation that the postage to the United Kingdom was 3jd. I have heard the slogan to ‘post early,’ but never any mention of the increased postage. The special Christmas stamps, 1 believe, were primarily printed for overseas mail and it is not only a surprise but an embarrassment to me to think that the recipients may be called upon to pay surcharge on my cards. It appears that many New Zealanders have sent Christmas cards with only the 3d stamp, according to what the Chief Postmaster in Wellington has said. 1 suggest that in the circumstances he should approach the London Post Office to forego the surcharge this time, as a goodwill gesture.” Mr Lincoln says: “The postage rate of 3}d for greeting cards sent to overseas addresses has been current since October 1, 1964. The Christmas stamp is designed mainly for use on Christmas cards within New Zealand, and your correspondent’s belief that they were printed primarily for overseas mail is incorrect.

“Each year, it has been necessary to arrange newspaper publicity to remind those sending Christmas cards

overseas that an additional id is required in accordance with the regulations of the Universal Postal Union.”