POST OFFICE AS AGENT

Grey River Argus, 23 July 1926, Page 5

POST OFFICE AS AGENT

EOR BRITISH BUSINESS. N.Z. PROTEST TURNED DOWN. WELLINGTON, July 22. Protesting that the cash-on-delivery system, under which the Post Office acts as agents for English firms, is detrimental to the local retail business, a deputation representing the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Drapers’ Federation, booksellers and watchmakers’ organisations, waited on the Postmaster-General to-day urging that it should be discontinued. Mr. W. Siman said that under the 0.0. D. system, parcels from Great Britain and the Irish Free State were admitted to the country, the value of the goods being collected by the Pos--* taf Department on delivery and forwarded to the consigning firm. This was a very serious form of competition with local business. He pointed out that a very large business was done through the C.O.D. system on the. West Coast, the value of parcels received there during the past twelve months being about They claimed that the Government was exceeding its duty in acting ?s collect ing- agent for British retail firms. The goods were sent out to New Zealand practically on approval, and could be returned if unacceptable, by the Post Office. . Replying the Postmaster-General pointed out that New Zealand was linked up With the International C.O.D. arrangement, between certain countries. He understood that wholesale importers got their goods under the C.O.D. system at wholesale prices plus 10 per cent. Ordinary people taking advantage of the system received their goods at the retail price a Home plus 10 per cent. There was a difference between the prices. Looking at it from the broad point of view, he did not see, nor think, that New Zealand should break away from the postal Union arrangement. The Postal Department was for the benefit and convenience of the whole of the people of the Dominion, and the Government oould not take up an a tittide hostile to the great number of people, who availed themselves of the C.O.D. system. “I cannot sec my way to make any change in the direction you ask,” he said. -—.