CASH ON DELIVERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20272, 4 June 1929, Page 7

CASH ON DELIVERY.

NEW ZEALAND'S DECISION.

DEFENCE OF THE SYSTEM.

SUGGESTED RECIPROCATION

[FROM OUlt OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, April 25. In ft letter to tho Times, Mr. Rowland Stimson, chairman of the Traders' Committeo, Imperial Cash on Delivery Association, expresses the hope that the New Zealand Government will reconsider its decision to abolish tho cash-on-delivcry system under which overseas parcels are imported through tho Post Office. "Tho explanation given by Sir Joseph Ward," says Mr Stimson, "is that tho system made tlio Post Office an agent in trade oxceeding £150,000 a. year, and thus a great deal of work ordinarily undertaken by small traders was imposed on it. It is difficult to understand why a C.O.D. transaction should bo more onerous on a post ollico than a cash with order transaction. C.O.D. puts less clerical work £>n tho Post Office, as tho sender of a C.O.D. parcel makes out tho trade charge order, which corresponds with a money order. On the other hand, a money order sent in advance is made out by postal clerks. To abolish such a necessary and successful service is to close an avenue which supplies many novol and original wants not to bo obtained in the colonics in tho first instance.

ft appears that Sir Joseph Ward is being prevailed upon by uninstructcd '• traders and manufacturers in New Zealand to commit an , economic blunder, chiefly on the ground that C.O.D. is a success. It is the colonial storekeeper who ultimately benefits by the enterprise of his would-bo customer, who, seeing an ; article advertised in an English publics- ! tion, probably introduces it to his own I colony, and this creates a demand on the ■ spot. It is unreasonable to think that the customer would order his requirements from home if obtainable at a fair price locally. i "Here we have the British Post Office, (he Imperial Marketing Board, and the Imperial C.O.D. Association all out to popularise Dominion products, and C.O.D. services have been gradually opened with a large number of the Crown colonics, also to France, Belgium, Holland, the Scandinavian countries, and a number of other States. Within these limits it is successful and expanding rapidly. "Nearly 300,000 C.O.D. parcels of a value of £750,000 are despatched abroad each year, and some 10,000 are received from abroad. Thus there is plenty of scope and encouragement for New Zealand to reciprocate and send C.O.D. parcels into this country, where wo have thousands of consumers who could gladly pay the post man C.O.D. for a package of New Zealand products. These should be advertised in British newspapers, as we have millions of potential buyers here if the right goods arc offered at the right price. Here is an opportunity for our kinsmen overseas to show their enterprise." SLUMP IN WHEAT MARKET. AUSTRALIAN MILL CLOSED. Theslump in the world wheat market has had an effect on the industry at Wagga, New South Dales. The Murrainbidgee Flour-milling Company's factory has ceased operations until further notice because of the impossibility of disposing of the huge stocks of flour at present prices without considerable loss. The managing director, Mr. McGrath, last week said that the closing of the mill was due to the depression in trade, the sudden collapse of the wheat market and a big reduction in tho value of wheat, which meant that there was no possibility of taking up an export trade in flour. Tho mill was choked to the limit with flour, and it would be useless producing more until the position changed. "The suspension of operations is only temporary," Mr. McGrath continued. "We have a large quantity of wheat safe in tho silos. If wo mado it into flour wo would have no safe storage for the product. The directors regret the stoppage, but as business men they must be careful. Personally I beliovo there will be a reaction as sudden as the slump, which will provide an outlet for tho produce- Tho market for flour has responded to the wheat market and we could not possibly sell at present market rates and avoid heavy losses on tho outlay in tho purchase of wheat." RICH BRITISH LEAD ORE. AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. Lead mining, long a staple industry in tho Peak of Derbyshire, had recently fallen to the lowest output for a century. These limestone ranges, says a correspondent of the Herald, have been oxtensivo contributors of lead ore from tho commencement of history. Old Roman shafts aro frequent on the hills surrounding Matlock. Tlie present writer had once a narrow oscapo from falling down ono of them through the rotten covering beams mid a dense tangle of growth giving way.

The famous "Mill Close" mine, situated between tho villages of Bonsnll and Winster, lias long l)een reputed as tho third largest British mine. Several fortunes have beon made from it. At tho time of tho Russo-Turkish War, it supplied tho Turks, Mr. E. M. Wass being tho then owner. From his smelting works at Lea long canal boats woro constantly leaving ladon with pig-lead, and tho price rose from £5 to £32 per ton. The official report last year stated "The main veins had been worked out, but frosh ground was being explored." Tho result has been a remarkable discovery of rich ore below the old water level. Electric pumps have been installed and 10,000,000 gallons of water weekly raised, bringing the mine again to a renewal of its long former prosperity. There is a considerable percentage of silver the ore, and various trials have been made to extract it'commercially, but ns the value of lead has risen—now about £2B a tonrefining for silver has been discontinued. QUEENSLAND SUGAR SEASON. Tho weather was generally favourable to tho further'development of tho sugarcane crops throughout Queensland during April. The Australian' Sugar Journal says that in (ho Mossman areas cool nights and sunny days have tended to retard growth, and ho increase the sugar content of the cane. At tho same timq planting for next year's crop is being pushed on. Around GitirnM.fhe crop is expected he equal In that of Inst year. On the Johnstone River planting is' in progress for next season and for <1)0 coming crushing some re- [ cord crops will be harvested.