AIRGRAPH MAIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25364, 23 October 1943, Page 6

AIRGRAPH MAIL

GROWTH OF SERVICE EXTENSION TO NAVAL MEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 22. Since the airgraph service was commenced early this year, over 350,000 messages have been sent from New Zealand and over 310,000 received for delivery in New Zealand,” said the Postmaster-general, Mr P. C. Webb, to-day. “The service is now in operation between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Canada, Middle East, North-west Africa, East Africa, South Africa, and India, and each week between 15,000 and 20,000 messages are handed in at New Zealand post offices for despatch. Approximately the same number is received from overseas for New Zealand addresses. “In most cases the transmission times have improved since the service was established,” Mr Webb added, “and there is a possibility of a still further improvement. The following average times are frequently bettered: From New Zealand to Canada, 12 days; to the United Kingdom, 17.5 days; to India, 18 days; to the Middle East, 24 days. To New Zealand from the United Kingdom, 18 days; from the Middle East, 22 days; from Canada, 8 days; from India, 10 days; from East Africa, 15 days; from South Africa. 19 days; from North Africa, 21 days.” Mr Webb announced hat the Post Office, in co-operation with the naval authorities, had arranged for the service to be made available for communications addressed to naval personnel and also merchant navy personnel serving outside the Pacific area. Airgraph mails are made up for Great Britain, Canada, the Middle E ast. India, and East and South Africa. Airgraph messages for . the personnel referred to should be addressed in ex T actly the same way as ordinary letters intended for them. Thus in the case of an airgraph message for a naval rating, the name of whose ship is known, the address would be, for example:—H. S. Brown, able seaman, N.Z. 7578, H.M.S. , British Fleet mail. The usual charge of 5d for forces’ messages will apply.