Postal charges now up 50%

Press, 2 August 1979, Page 3

Postal charges now up 50%

Postal charges in New Zealand increased about 50 per cent for most types ofi mail from yesterday. The charge for a standard letter sent surface mail within New Zealand rose from 10c to 14c, an airmail letter of up to 10 grams from 12c to 17c, and an aerogramme or postcard sent, airmail from New Zealand to Europe or Britain from 23c to 35c. The increases are listed in schedules available from the Post Office, but by yesterday the Christchurch Chief Post Office had received only one-third of its allocation and all of these had been distributed. Long queues formed in some post offices earlier this week as people tried to beat the increases. A Post Office spokesman said that letters or parcels sent with insufficient postage would still be delivered, but consignees might receive friendly letters asking them to pay the deficit. He said that this was normal procedure, and the Post Office got “99 per cent co-operation.” The health stamps which went on sale this week are no longer adequate by themselves for inland postage. A 10c plus 2c stamp will need another 4c stamp to qualify as a surface letter, w’hile a 12c plus 2c stamp will need another 5c stamp if it is on an inland airmail letter which weighs lOg or less. The Post Office said that first-day sales of health stamps were down by 5 per cent on last year’s sales. One problem connected with the new postal charges is that no 14c stamps exist, which means that ordinary inland letters sent surface mail need two stamps. In most cases, unless otherwise requested, the Post Office will issue two 7c stamps. Registration fees have increased from 35c to 85c, on top of postage. Samples of the new price charges, with the old rates in brackets are: Inland — Standard letter, 14c (10c); first-class letter (non-standard), to IOOg, 20c (13c); second class letter (non-standard), to IOOg, 17c (He); Christmas card, posted November 15 to December 31, 10c (7c); airmail letter, to lOg, 17c (12c); airmail letter, to 20g, 21c (15c).

Overseas. — Surface letter, to Australia, to 20g, 20c (12c); surface letter, to Britain, Europe, U.S.A., to 20g, 25c (16c); airmail letter, to Australia, to lOg, 30c (20c); airmail letter, to Asia and North America, to lOg, 40c (30c); airmail letter, to Europe, Africa, South America, 50c (35c); aerogramme or postcard, Australia, 25c (15c); aerogramme or postcard, Asia and North America 30c (20c); aerogramme or postcard, Europe, South America, Africa, 35c (23c).