CASH ON DELIVERY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1926, Page 9

CASH ON DELIVERY.

PARCELS THROUGH POST. UNFAIR COMPETITION ALLEGED. COUNTRY STORES AFFECTED, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Sir James Parr, in his capacity as Postmaster-General, was interviewed today by representatives of retail traders and agents of British manufacturers, who placed before him details of what they consider is unfair competition that they are up against. They stated that under the agreement come to at the International Postal Congress, anyone in New Zealand could order from Home or foreign houses goods which he could have consigned to him through the post office, the post office acting as agents of the consignor, and getting from the buyer the price of goods plus a small commission for the services rendered by the post office. The deputation alleged that this was unfair competition, and further, that there w-as no guarantee of the statement in regard to place of origin. It was possible, they said, that goods of cheap foreign manufacture were thus enabled to be brought into the Dominion in unfair competition with British manufactures. The system, they -said, was a blow to the country storekeeper. The Minister, with figures from the post office before him, remarked upon the decided increase in this method of trade within the last few months. It was an interesting fact, too, that practically half of the trade was with the West Coast of the South Island, and mainly with Greymouth and West-port. The matter could not, however, be altered until the next postal conference met. In the meantime, Sir James added, he would look into the matter, and leave a memorandum for the incoming Postmaster-General.