C.O.D. GOODS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10267, 14 April 1926, Page 6

C.O.D. GOODS.

POST OFFICE AS TRADING AGENT. OBJECTION BY RETAILERS. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, April. 13. Sir James Parr, in his capacity as Postmaster-General, was interviewed to-day by representatives. of retail traders and agents of British facturers, who placed before liTin the details of what they' consider is the unfair competition that they are up against. They stated that under an agreement come to at the International Postal Congress anyone in New Zealand could order from Home or foreign houses goods which he could have consigned to him through the Post Office, the Post- Office acting as the agent’s consignor, and getting from the buyer the price of the goods plus a small commission for the services rendered by the Foot Office. The deputation alleged that this was unfair competition, and, further, that there was no guarantee of a statement in regard to the place of origin. It was possible, they said, that goods of cheap foreign manufacture were thus enabled to be brought into the Dominion in unfair competition with British manufactures. The system, they said, was a blow to the country storekeepers. The Minister, with the figures from the Post Office before him, remarked upon a decided increase in this method of trade within the last few months. It was an interesting fact, too, that practically half of this trade was with the West Coast of the South Island, mainly with Greymouth and Westport. The matter could not, however, be altered until the next Postal Conference met. In the meantime, Sir James addedhe would look into the matter, and leave a memorandum for the incoming Postmaster-General.