CHRISTMAS MAILS

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1939, Page 10

CHRISTMAS MAILS

POST EARLIER THAN USUAL! At this time of the year the Post Office is usually able to assist New Zealanders in regard to their Christmas correspondence by giving details of the “last dates” for posting to various parts of the world. Under present circumstances, this information cannot be explicit, for reasons well understood. Early posting is always recommended, because of the immense volume of mails handled during the Christmas season.

’ There is an additional reason for , stressing the “early posting” advice ' this year, as the sea routes are fre- ’ quently varied, and voyages may take i longer than under normal conditions. , Transit time being thus uncertain, al- | lowance must be made for this if cor- ( respondents wish their seasonable messages to reach overseas points at the appropriate time. There is no cause to curtail overseas correspondence, for there has been no restriction on the facilities since the war be-1 gan. For mails to reach various overseas countries before Christmas, the best I advice the Post Office can give is that ■ postings should not be later than the; i following: I Great Britain and Europe: November (second week); Pacific Islands: November (third week); U.S.A, and Canada: November (last week); Eastern Countr’es: November (last week); Aus’ ralia: Mid-December. The Pacific Islands include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Fanning Island, Hawaii. Samoa and Tonga. Recent increases in postage by way of war surtax must be taken into consideration. There is always a large despatch overseas about this time of illustrated Christmas annuals print-) ed in the Dominion. Taking the new surcharge into account, the postages! now to be paid on these Christmas) annuals comprise a half-penny for' each 4 ounces to inland addresses; a! half-penny for each 3 ounces address-I ed to Empire destinations; and a halfpenny for each 2 ounces addressed toI foreign countries. A posting point of I. importance in connection with Christmas cards is the difference between , sealing the envelope oi' leaving it open. Cards unenclosed or placed in ; open envelopes may be posted to j either inland or overseas addresses for ( Id, but if the envelopes are sealed, I fuU letter rates are charged. 1