PACIFIC MAILS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26033, 22 December 1945, Page 9

PACIFIC MAILS

TRANSMISSION BY AIR (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec.. 21. The acting Postmaster-general, Mr F. Jones, stated to-day that as from January 1 civilian correspondence which senders desired should receive air transmission from New Zealand to Fiji, Tonga, Western Samoa, Norfolk Island. New Caledonia, New Hebrides, and Cook Islands would require to bear airmail postage at the rate of 5d a half-ounce. The air mail rate on postcards and light-weight letter-cards would be 3d. These rates would not, however, apply to correspondence for forces personnel in the islands mentioned. Such correspondence, prepaid at ordinary surface rates, would continue as hitherto to be forwarded by air as opportunity offered. Mr Jones said that, though regularity of air transmission could not be guaranteed, it was hoped, for the time being at any rate, to maintain a thriceweekly despatch to Fiji, a weekly despatch to Norfolk Island, Western Samoa. New Caledonia, and the New Hebrides, a . fortnightly despatch to Tonga, and possibly also to Cook Islands. Intending users should, however, be guided by the information shown in the usual mail notices exhibited at the principal Post Offices and published in the newspapers. These notices would show the closing times of both air and surface despatches to the Pacific Islands mentioned. »