“COLLECT ON DELIVERY.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6313, 13 September 1907, Page 7

“COLLECT ON DELIVERY.”

While New Zealand aspires to lead the world in some things which tend to progress, she is behindhand as regards a parcels post, ''collect'’' system. All the Australian States hare enjoyed this concession' for many years. The large firms in Sydney and Melbourne have built up huge businesses as the direct result of the “mail orders." The system is very simple. Catalogues are posted to" individuals in various places, and orders are remitted to the firms interested. The parcels are then deposited in the post office, with the amount to be collected written thereon. This amount includes a fee for the Government’s services for collecting the indebtedness. Most of the firms permit the opening and approval of the contents, before making the payment finally. Thus people living at distances from the metropolis are enabled to procure the latest fashions, which otherwise they would not be able to get without , a lengthy journey. Lpaving out the question of the convenience to the residents of districts far removed from large towns, the profit to the Government on the transaction is considerable. In all parts of the world where the system is ifi vogue it has proved an immense success. The small trader in the business towns outside of the metropolis does not suffer any considerable loss of trade, as it stands to reason that the goods obtained through the post aro either unobtainable locally, or are superior to the lines stocked.