SOLDIERS PARCELS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2693, 12 February 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS PARCELS

THE RATES OF POSTAGE. • Tho postal rates charged on parcels addressed to tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forccs was tho subject of a statement made to a reporter, by the Postmaster-General, Sir Joseph AVard, yesterday. "The ordinary rates on parcels to Egypt, via Colombo and Suez," he said, "were, up to three pounds 2s. Bd.; 'ibove three pounds to seven pounds, 4s. 4d.; above seven pounds to eleven pounds, 6s. AYhon the question of a cheaper rate for soldiers' parcels was under consideration, New Zealand agreed immediately to waive the amount allocated to this administration, namely, every parcel up to three pounds, 4d.; up to seven pounds, Bd.; up to eleven pounds, Is. Arrangements were mado to send the parcels via Australia and Suez, and on the representations of the, New Zealand Postal Department 'the Commonwealth Administration agreed to fix its allocation at tVe fol lowing reduced charges:—Parcel up to three pounds, 3d.; seven pounds, 6jil.; to eleven pounds, lOd. The Egyptian Administration, also on the representation of the New Zealand Postal Department, lowered its charge by 2-} d in each of the three classes. The following comparison will show at a glance the reduced charges in force on soldiers' parcels:— ■ . Former Reduced , , Rate. Rate. Parcel of 31b. ... !Js. Bd. - Is. l J 3 d. Parcel of 71b. ... 4s. 4d. 2s. 7Jd. Parcel of 111b. ... 6s. Od. 4s. l^d. "The halfpenny war tax has ; of course,' to be added. But it will be seen that New Zealand is not receiving what it. should under tile reduced rates. In other words, it costs more "to carry out the service than it receives.",.,,,,.