Postal Reduction

Southland Times, Issue 12023, 14 May 1892, Page 3

Postal Reduction

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — The Hod. Mr Ward in his speech at Winton, making reference to the proposed reduction of local postal rates and as an argument in support of that policy, says — "To send a letter from Winton to Lady Barkly, or from Winton to Invercargill, cost 2d ; to send a letter to Adelaide or Melbourne cost only 2d. From New Zealand to Germany they could send a letter for 2^d under the Postal Union rates, or only a Ad more than it cost to Lady Barkly. It could scarcely be a desirable state of affairs then that the present letter rate in the colony should be maintained." Mr Ward can hardly be congratulated on his estimate of the mental capacity of his audience in advancing such a weak argument in support of his pet scheme, for does it not at once present itself to one's common sense that the anomalous rates at present in force have been »reated by unwise changes, and that to correct the same we have only to revert to the old postal rates which it is a patent fact nobody complained of. The proposed concession is one purely in the interest of the commercial class, and is in no way a benefit to the labouring cla&s. The former class are quite able to pay the old 6d postage to Europe and 4d to Australia. The Australians with their high protective tariffs, do not encourage much correspondence with our colony. With freetrade there would be some sense in a uniform low rate between the several colonies, but not otherwise. It is unfortunate that the Government should have resolved to abandon a large postal surplus revenue and go in for ajfresh experiment in direct taxation which is extremely likely to prove more unequal than the property tax, which they might have reduced to the great satisfaction of every stable colonist, saving much agitation and maintaining the credit of the colony as an attractive field of colonisation. — I am, &c, Another Way ok Putting It.