AN EXPANSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 248, 31 July 1937, Page 2

AN EXPANSION.

POST AND TELEGRAPH BUSINESS. (Per Press Association.) WEILLINGTUN, July 30. The Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones) stated to-day that the revenue figures for the month of June indicate that the business of the Post and Telegraph Department continues to expand. The postage revenue for the month reached £134,658, compared with £115,340 for . the corresponding month of last year. The telegraph revenue was £25,907, as compared with £25,204; toil revenue £47,858, as compared with £41,931 and telephone receipts £108,115, as against £100,755. A better indication of the general increase in business was, however, revealed in the revenue figures for the quarter ended June 30. The postage revenue showed an increase of £97,000, although part of this return was on account of the sale of Coronation stamps. The telegraph revenue showed an increase of £4OOO, toll revenue an increase of £20,000 and the telephone receipts £32,000 above the return for the corresponding quarter of last year. Upon a percentage basis, the volume of telegrams of all codes was 7.5 per cent, above that of the corresponding quarter of last year. Toll business showed an increase of 12 per cent, in volume, and 15.5 per cent, in value. In the Post Office Savings Bank, the deposits for the June ' quarter’ of this year were £8,722,2-87, compared with £7,502,367 for the corresponding quarter of last year. The excess of deposits over withdrawals was £1,404,969, compared with £857,506 for the corresponding quarter of last year. The Minister added that these figures disclosed a Very satisfactory position, and could well be regarded as a barometer of the general prosperity of the country.