SALE OF STAMPS

Evening Star, Issue 20687, 9 January 1931, Page 8

SALE OF STAMPS

GOVERNMENT DISCONTINUES COMMISSION The Government, as part oi, its general economy campaign, has dqcided to discontinue the payment of the commission on the sale of postage stamps by shopkeepers. A Press Association message from Wellington states that, in accordance with its decision, rigidly to curtail expenditure wherever possible, Cabinet decided yesterday to discontinue the payment of the commission on the sale of postage stamps previously retained by shopkeepers who sold stamps in conjunction with their business. In future no commission will be paid to those selling stamps outside a post office. The estimated annual saving as a result of this step is set down at £3,000. The licenses lor the sale of stamps by sh6pkeepers are now expiring, and as a result of the Cabinet’s decision none will be renewed. It was recently announced that the discount of 2J per cent, on stamps up to and including tbo value of Is would not be allowed where other facilities were considered adequate to meet the convenience of the public. Inquiries made in Dunedin showed that several shopkeepers kept a large quantity of stamps in stock, and that big business houses sent to them for supplies. One shopkeeper said that many business people found it a great convenience to be able to purchase) stamps from his shop. If the Post Office had to sell all the stamps required in Dunedin it would almost require the services of another clerk, and as the same position obtained in other towns he did not see that it was a very wise economy measure on the part of the Government. There were many other directions in which economics could ho effected instead of causing inconvenience to many business people m such a small matter.