C.O.D. SYSTFM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 July 1926, Page 5

C.O.D. SYSTFM.

DOMINION RETAILERS PROTEST. MINISTER REFUSES TO MAKE ALTERATIONS. ( BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 22. Protesting that the “Gash on Deliver v” postal system, under which the Post. Office acts- as agent for English firms, is detrimental to local retail business houses, a deputation representing the; Wellington -Chamber of Commerce, the Drapers’ Federation, and the, booksellers and watchmakers’ organisations, waited on the Postmas-ter-General to-day to ask that it should be discontinued.

Mr Si wan- said! that under the C.O.D. svstem, parcels- from: Great Britain and tiie Irish Free State were admitted to this country/ the value of the goods being collected: by the Postal 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 1 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 £IO,OOO. They claimed that the Government was exceeding its duty in acting as collecting agent for British retail firms. Goods were sent out to New Zealand! practically on -approval, and could be returned; if they were-un-acceptable by the: Post Office. In his reply the Postmaster-General (Hon. W. Nosworthv) pointed out- that New Zealand was' linked up with the international C.O.D. arrangement between certain countries. He understood that the wholesale importers got their goods under the- C.O.D. system at the wholesale price plus ten per cent. Ordinary people taking advantage of the sv-stem- received their goods at the retail price, at Home, -plus ten per cent. There was that difference between the two- prices. Looking at it from a broad point of view, he did not think New Zealand should break a way from the Postal Union arrangement. The Postal Department was for the benefit and convenience of the whole of the people of the Dominion, said the Minister and tlie Government could not take up an attitude hostile to the great number of people who availed themselves of the C.O.D. system. “I cannot see my way to make: any change in the direction you ask,” he said.