CONCESSIONS ANNOUNCED

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2213, 28 July 1914, Page 4

CONCESSIONS ANNOUNCED

• ■ -•.■■■. — 9 : " ; '■'- '• ■ ■ ' ■ ' i BY, THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL. : CBy Teleeraph.—Prns« Association.) ' Blenheim, July 27. In performing the opening ceremony at the new post office at Seddon to-day, the Postuiaster-General (the Hon. R, H. Rhodes) stated that the' Departmen - proposed to make still further ; reduction in the charges for the trans- • ' . mission of telegrams uy wireless in re- .'. gard to ships engaged exclusively in the New Zealand coastal trade, while voyaging between Wellington and Lyttelton. p'nder tho new conditions pas- ■ sengers in vessels fitted with wireless apparatus will be able to send wireless telegrams from tho ship to any telegraph ofneo in New Zealand at a charge of 2Jd. per word, with a minimum ' charge of Is. 2d. This low rate has / been .fixed to meet the special features of. the night' ferry service, but should it prove remunerative, he had it -.in mind to extend it to apply to other parts of'the'Dominion's sea traffic, and probably eventually to the Tasinan Sea service ae well. All depended on' the returns, ' . . ; . ... An increase would be made, shortly in the maximum weight of parcels which; may be 'forwarded by parcel post for places served by the. railway or by steamer. During the strike the .-limit was temporarily raised to 211b. to meet difficulties then arising, and advantage had boon taken of the temporary extension, apart from tho original purpose. An increase in.the maximum dimension of 281b. parcels from 3ft. 6in. 'in length, and 6ft. in length and girth combined, to 3ft. 6in. in length and' ' 7ft. m length and girth combined, will take effect. Tho illb. parcels and olb. parcels will retain their present maximum limit. . Arrangements for tho installation of • nutomatic telephones were progressing satisfactorily, and it was expected that the first offices to be ready would bo at . Courtenny Place and Newtown, in Wellington. Cheaper cable communication was . quite likely, he sdded, in view of tho advantage beiii". taken by thocnWincc public of the deferred and> week-end systoms. It was proposed to institute a reduction from 3s. to 9d. per word.