IRREGULAR MAILS.

Northern Advocate, 18 January 1921, Page 2

IRREGULAR MAILS.

The irregularity of the mail services between England and New Zealand, resulting from the disorganisation of shipping, is the subject of a striking article in the "Dominion." Before the war ls T ew Zealand was exceedingly well served so far as overseas mails was concerned, regular des •atch from London and prompt delivery on this side being assured. In 1914, for instance, the average 'time on the various routes from London to Wellington was from '.'A to 38 days, the quickest service by any route being 3.1 days and the woret 40 What ig the position to-iay? We find that in tho past three months 43 mails were sent from London. Of these, only five arrived in les3 than 40 days, the average was from 45 to 50 day-s and no fewer than six mails wore from oo to GO days on the way. This is a plunge back into conditions of many years ago wth a vengeance. So far as can bo ascertained from an examination of 'the dates of "arrival and departure tht complaints of an inefficients despatch from Tondon are not borne out. Delayed mails have come by all routes —Vancouver, San Francisco, Panama, and Suez: The most Hint can b(\ said is that whereas we gained by eight despatches by Suez we lost by four. The present figures, unsatisfactory as 'they arc, make a good prima facie case for tho Post Office having done the best with the existing services, but the services certainly need improvement.