WHY FOOD PARCEL POSTAGE NOT REDUCED

Chronicle (Levin), 5 November 1947, Page 5

WHY FOOD PARCEL POSTAGE NOT REDUCED

WELLINGTON, Nov, 4. As a result of correspondence frons various parts of the Doininion, the Aid for Britain national council has iuvestigated the much debated question of freight and postage charges on i'oott parcels being sent to the United Kingdom. In response to an inquiry the chairman of the council, Mr. F, (P. Walsh, stated today that after examining all aspects of the question, ihe council had no. hesitation in conQurriug with the Government's decision as an nouneed -by the Postmaster-General, that no reduction in the rates should be made meanwhile. It seemed quite clear to the council that the share of the charges which is retained by the Post Oftice, scarcely covers the costs involved and New Zeaiand 's charges in this respect are the lowest in the British Connnonwealth. The council u'nderstands the proportion of the charges not payable to New Zeaiand, is also at a minimum and it is unlikely that any reduction in these could be made without involving a loss to the United Kingdom Government. "Wliile it is easy to appreciate the feeiings of the people who have to pay a substantial amount to eover the postage of their food parcels to Britain," said Mr, Walsh, "the council eonsiders

there is really no reason why the postage aspect of the cost should be paid out of the taxpayers' moneys in the Consolidated Funa, any more than the food eontents of the parcels or, far that matter, the transport charges on food exports generally." The parcels had to be transported to the United Kingdom and the transportation paid for and in this respect the shipping companies were stated to be losing on the amount they received for the carriage of parcels. The overall costs of both eontents and postage were an indivisihle part of the individual's and' organisation's sacrifioes in sending food parcels to Britain and the council felt they should eontinue to. be paid by the senders as preYiously,.