SOLDIERS’ PARCELS

Southland Times, Issue 17655, 12 February 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ PARCELS

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE. REDUCED CHARGES ARRANGED FOR (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 11. Complaints have been made regarding the rates of postage on parcels intended for the men at the front. The Postmaster - General informed a reporter to-day that he had enquired into this matter and found that the Post and Telegraph Department was making no profit at all on the handling' of parcels, the rates charged being actually below the cost of the service. Ordinary rates on parcels to Egypt, via Colombo and Suez, were; Up to 81b, 2s Sd; 81b to 71b, 4s Id; 71b to 111b, 6s. The New Zealand postal authorities wanted to reduces, this rate in the interests of soldiers, and they agreed to waive their share of the total charge, namely 4<l, 7d, and Is on the three classes respectively. It was arranged that parcels should be sent via Australia and Suez, and the- Commonwealth Administration, on the representations of Now Zealand, agreed to reduced charges. The Egyptian Administration was then approached, and agreed to lower its charges by 21-i.d on each of the three classes. The results of efforts made by the New Zealand authorities are shown in the following table;— Old Rates. New Rates, s d s d. Up to 81b ....2 8 1 IVa 81b to Till .... 1 - 714 Tib to 11 lb ..6 0 4 The extra war charge of ’4d lias to be added in each case. The Now Zealand Post Office agreed to abandon Us inland charges on parcels from Egypt. The rates for parcels sent to Egypt, via London are lower than those quoted, the charges for the three classes being Is, 2s, and Bs, respectively, but thisroute is not recommended, since tile limo occupied in transit is 4 mater;ally increased. "U will lie seen that the New Zealand Post Office is not Wiaking a profit out of soldiers’ parcels." added that the Minister.