DECREASED POSTAGE RATE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1932, Page 7

DECREASED POSTAGE RATE

INCREASE WAS NOT MISTAKE

£994,000 REVENUE HANDED OVER.

REASONS FOR THE REDUCTION.

PRESSURE FOR TELEPHONE CUTS

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. A reply to statements that the increase to twopenny postage was a mistake was made by the Hon. Adam. Hamilton, Postmaster-General, in his address at the official opening of the new High Stre’et Post Office to-day. The Minister • said, the advance wa.s made to increase the revenue so as to compensate in some measure for the decreased return from Customs and other sources. It did bring in revenue and the department had been able to pay to the Consolidated Fund £994,000. Such a method of securing revenue, however, was not one to be pressed, so the rate had been reduced to a penny again. The reduction had not been made a® the result of pressure of public opinion. The Post Office had a monopoly and it was not considered right to use it to excess. Mr.- Hamilton appealed to the public not to press too hard for a reduction in telephone charges. ,Jf the reduction a.sked were made it might not be possible to balance the Budget. The Department would consider the question with care.