PENNY POSTAGE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 206, 27 May 1932, Page 13

PENNY POSTAGE

-■ • • The New Regulations Gazetted - DETAILS OF CHANGES Regulations fixing the revised postal charges, which are to come into operation on June 1, were gazetted last evening. Betalls are as follow: — Letters and Letter-cards. Inland. —Id. for the first ounce or fraction thereof, and Jd. for each additional ounce or fraction thereof. . All other places to which Postal Union rates do not apply—ld. for each ounce or fraction thereof. Late fee—-Id. PostcardsInland —id, for a single card; Id. for a reply card. Late fee —Id. Packets (comprising Commercial Papers, Books, and Printed Papers, Pattern and Sample Packets, and Unregistered Magazines). Inland—id., for each 2oz. or fraction thereof up to 21b., and 2d. for each additional pound or fraction ttuereof up to 51b. Book Post. The rate for. Government packages within New Zealand only shall be id. for each 2oz. up to 21b., 2d. for each additional lib. to 101 b., and Id.'for each additional lib. up to 141 b. The limits of weight and size for each Government package should be as follow :— For nlaces served by wheeled conveyance, rail, or steamer: Weight, 141 b.; length, 3fL 6in.; and length and girth combined, 6ft. For places not served by wheeled conveyance, rail, or steamer: Weight, 51b.; length,. 2ft.; and breadth or depth, Ift Registered Magazines. Inland—Each copy Id. for each Boz. or fraction thereof. Registration. For any place—3d. Special-Request Correspondence. Undelivered printed matter prepaid id. that has been posted in New Zealand and bears a special request for its return to the sender, or is of intrinsic value, will be returned and charged additional postage of id.

Undelivered printed matter prepaid id. that har. been posted outside New Zealand and, by request, sent to an address in New-Zealand other than that to which it was originally addressed, shall be charged additional postage of id. Parcels.

Inland—Not exceeding lib., 6d.; for each additional pound or fraction thereof up to 101 b., 2d.; for each additional pound or fraction thereof up to 141 b., Id. ■ Inland—For parcels (except those containing fishing-rods, golf-clubs, and parcels not exceeding lin. in thickness, etc.), exceeding 4ft. length and girth combined, but not exceeding 111 b. in weight, 2/1. Inland—For parcels containing fishingrods and golf-clubs, exceeding 3ft, Gin. but not exceeding 4ft. 6iri. in length: Not exceeding 31b., 2/-; for each additional pound or fraction thereof up to 111 b., 3d. Limit of Weight.

Parcels not exceeding 141 b. in weight shall be accepted for transmission to all places in the Bominion served by wheeled conveyance, rail, or steamer. ... Cinematograph Films.

Cinematograph films may be posted only to or from offices at which the limit of weight for . parcels is 141 b. , A singlefilm container shall be charged one 111 b. parcel rate, plus one “express transit" fee, if the parcel is sent in that manner. The rate of postage for a five-film container shall be. that charged for four single 141 b. parcels, and if sent “express transit” four “express transit” fees also shall be charged. In cases in which a fire-film container enclosing only four films is posted, the postage charged shall be the same as for three single 141 b. parcels and one 21b. parcel, plus four “express transit” fees if sent “express transit.”

REMOVAL OF BURDEN An Aid to Business The decision of the Government to revert to universal penny postage has been received with satisfaction by businessmen in the city, who welcome the removal of the burden imposed by the increased charges last. year. “I congratulate the Government and the Postmaster-General on the step they propose to take,” said the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, Mr. W..Machin, yesterday. “Presumably the proposal means the cancellation altogether of the extra 'taxation which the Government has been collecting through the Post Office, and which I imagine has crippled business pretty badly. It is probably the cheapest method of collecting this taxation by collecting it with postage. Right through, New Zealand business people have been unable to deal as freely with the Post Office as previously, and they have had to adopt other methods of dealing with their correspondence, etc. The Post Office, like every business institution, has probably now realised that as prices go up to their customers, turnover goes down. The Government seems to be taking a wise and businesslike step. I should say it will result immediately in a very large increase of business to the Post Office.”

The president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. J. Pearce Luke, said that the chamber was particularly gratified to know that the representations which had been put forward by business people as a whole had borne fruit. The Postmaster-Gen-eral was to be warmly congratulated on the boldness of his move in reverting to the former condition of things. The Wellington Chamber was satisfied that the Government’s action would have a beneficial effect on business. Reductions in postage and telegraphic charges would be very stimulating, and would result, he was sure, in increased business for the Post and Telegraph Department. DUNEDIN OPINION By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, May 26. The head of a large wholesale house to-day expressed appreciation of the Government reducing the rate of postage. There was no doubt, he said, that a great deal of business previously enjoyed by the Post Office had been diverted to other channels. Whether all would return remained to be seen. There was no doubt that the reduced charge would stimulate business, but there was reason to doubt If the Post Office would regain all Its lost business.

"lu the meantime we can only say how pleased we are at the Government’s action. It will certainly be a great saving to us, and savings are of first-class importance at the moment.” Another man, speaking along the same lines, added that the stimulative effect on business would be enhanced If telegraphic charges wor® brought to ©MI rate