AIRGRAPH MAIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 3, 3 July 1943, Page 4

AIRGRAPH MAIL

POST OFFICE STATEMENT

Replying to the contention of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce that serious delays in the distribution of airgraph mail would be obviated by the transfer of the apparatus and special staff from Wellington to Auckland, as the acparatus was not bulky, and the skilled personnel needed could readily be transferred, the Post Office states that the airgraph apparatus was installed in Wellington after full consideration of the position by Kodak New Zealand Limited and the Department. The advantage in handling to be derived from installation in Auckland was appreciated, but, on the other hand, the company already had in its Wellington establishment certain special equipment essential to the outward service. This particular apparatus— the only installation of its kind in the Dominion—could not be moved because of the manner of its installation. Any attempt at removal would have resulted in irreparable damage. Replacement at present would be impossible. OTHER FACTORS. . Although this was the main reason for the decision to set up the airgraph installation in Wellington, there were other factors hi the presence here of the necessary key. personnel. These men could not be transferred to Auckland because of their engagement in Wellington on other work equally as essential as the airgraph service; while, in the present state of the country's man-power, duplication of the skilled technical staff would be practically impossible. The present arrangements are servi ing the Dominion as a whole very [ well. Every effort is made by the Post Office to avoid delay in the handling of airgraph messages, full use being made of the inland air services. Frequently inward messages 'are being i delivered in Auckland at the same time as in Wellington, find, except in isolated circumstances, they are never delivered later in Auckland than in other parts of the Dominion.