LOWER POSTAGE RATES

Southland Times, Issue 24113, 30 April 1940, Page 6

LOWER POSTAGE RATES

PARCELS FOR TROOPS OVERSEAS DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES Reductions in the postage rates on parcels for men on active service overseas have been announced by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones. He also stated that the Egyptian Administration had agreed for the duration of the war to exempt from Customs duties all parcels (except those containing tobacco, cigarettes and liquors) for troops from the various parts of the British Empire serving in Egypt. Mr Jones said that success having attended negotiations which had been in progress for some time with overseas administrations, it had been possible to fix the following reduced rates for parcels for members of the military, naval and air forces serving anywhere overseas: —Up to 31b, 1/-; 71b, 2/-. These rates, which would come into operation immediately, would apply to parcels addressed not only to members of the New Zealand Forces overseas, but also to men on active service with the armed forces of all British countries. OVERSEAS COUNTRIES’ HELP These concessions to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were made possible by the generous action of the Australian and Egyptian Governments in making liberal reductions in charges and by the additional action of Egypt in forgoing Customs charges. Canada was also to make liberal concessions in respect of postings to New Zealand air trainees, and Great Britain was cooperating in making reductions which assisted in the extension of the cheap rates for parcels to New Zealanders on active service with the Royal Air Force, to British soldiers on active service in France, and to the personnel of the Navy. Under the new arrangement it was necessary, said the Minister, to make a change regarding packets addressed to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Normally the only articles that could be sent by packet post to Egypt were bona fide trade samples: all other packages required to be sent by parcel post. As a temporary measure packets containing comforts for our soldiers overseas had been accepted at packet rates, but it was now necessary to withdraw this concession and to require all such articles to be sent as parcels. Though the minimum charge for a parcel was l/~, the weight permitted for this charge was 31b, and no doubt senders would soon adjust their postings to take full advantage of the weight limit. In any case postings of lightweight articles to the troops were few. PATIENCE OF PUBLIC The Minister expressed thanks to the public for its patience in awaiting this definite announcement regarding postal arrangements for the Expeditionary Force. More than three months, he said, had elapsed since the discussions with overseas countries had first begun, but he was sure that the period of waiting had been worthwhile for the results achieved. In fixing the rates to soldiers, the Minister added, the aim had been to reduce to bedrock the charges for the parcels of comforts so much appreciated by the troops, snecially when engaged in active operations, and he was pleased that such substantial reductions had been effected. In the case of Egypt the reduction in the parcel rate was: New Normal rate rate Parcels up to 31b 1/- 2/Parcels up to 71b (maximum) 2/- 4/2

Summarized briefly, the charges on correspondence addressed to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force are now as follows:—

Letters (inland rate), 2d first oz.; Id each additional -loz.

Newspapers (the British Empire rate), jd each 3oz. Parcels, up to 31b, 1/-; up to 71b, 2/-. In addition, articles like diaries and books can be sent at printed paper rates: |d each 2oz; minimum charge, Id. Mr Jones emphasized that Customs duty at high rates would still be levied in Egypt on cigarettes and tobacco for the troops. He was sorry the free entry of tobacco in post parcels had not been agreed to, but he had no doubt that relations and friends would soon learn that our adaptable soldiers overseas had found a supply of tobacco to their liking.