Manawatu Daily Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1925 The “Cash on Delivery.” System.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2328, 23 December 1925, Page 8

Manawatu Daily Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1925 The “Cash on Delivery.” System.

A complaint has been made by a number of Christchurch business people which is deserving of the best and earliest attention of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce. It arises out of the facilities offered by the Postal Department to firms in Great Britain and the Continent to carry on business on what is known as the “Cash on delivery” system, the same facilities being denied to firms carrying on business in New Zealand. It might be explained that under this system goods may be ordered by anybody in New Zealand from a firm in England or the Continent, and on being sent out to New Zealand the Post office collects the amount involved, delivers the goods, and returns the money to the sender. It Is an old and well-ostablished method of doing business on the Continent of Europe and is greatly made use of ny mail-order businesses. Although of more recent introduction in Britain the system becomes quickly popular as soon as it becomes known and understood, and the w'onder is that our progressive Postal Department has not yet seen fit to introduce if in New Zealand. The complaint of the Christchurch drapers and boot merchants is not so much an objection to this new activity of the Postal Department, as it is the Department's refusal to extend similar facilities to the business people in the Dominion. Proper Representation. 1 Wanted. We feel sure, all that is requiredis proper representation in the right quarter, and the Department which is always out for ne*jv business, will respond to a request that is only fair and just. There is nothing novel or experimental in the scheme. It has been in existence in many countries for generations and has proved a thorough success for both buyer and seller. It is particularly suited to a country such as New Zealand, where it would become a distinct boon to settlers and people living In the country as they would be enabled to do much of their shopping by mall

and pay for their purchases on delivery. Needless to say it should be greatly welcomed by shops and business houses and that is the reason why we suggested that tire matte; should receive the best attention of Chambers of Commrece. Overseas Shipping Will Increase. As was pointed out by the, Christchurch business peopl.e there is already a considerable amount of overseas shopping done under the “Casn on Delivery” system and the volume ct business will no doubt increase considerably as the method becomes better known, it being in its infancy in New Zealand at present. It will not affect so much the people in the larger cities as it will the rural population, and the smaller traders in country towns may in time become very seriously affected. The least therefore the Postal Department can do is to extend the same facilities to business people in New Zealand as they, are at present giving to traders overseas. It will hardly be doubted that the introduction of such a method would bring a considerable amount of additional business to the Post Office and a corresponding increase in revenue. The Department makes, in addition to the ordinary parcel rate, an extra small charge for collecting and returning the money. The necessary form is of course made out by the sender and the whole transaction is an exceedingly simple one. Why Penalise New Zealand Traders? In Introducing this type of trade in New Zealand, the Postal Department has evidently agreed to participate in a postal system which already is of a world wide nature. Apart, however, from the external system, nearly every participating country has an internal system as well, and we feel sure the New Zealand Postal Department cannot advance any good reason why the Dominion’s business people should be penalised, or why external traders should be privileged, at the expense of our own business people. Proper representation by the Chambers of Commerce is all that is required to rectify the present anomalous state of affairs and the "cash on delivery” method of doing business will very soon come into general use the same as it has done in the Home countries for many years pasr.