THE POSTAL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2386, 16 February 1915, Page 6

THE POSTAL SERVICE

POSTMASTER-GENERAL OPTIMISTIC, , (By TeleCT«n>h.—Press Association^ Chrlstchurch, February 15. Speaking at the opening of the new Post Office at Akaroa to-day, the Hon. li. H. Rhodes, Postmaster-General, said the Department's policy of granting postali and telegraphic concessions to the public wherever justified had been well maintained. From December 1, 1914, further improvements were made in the parcels post service, the benefit of which would doubtless be recognised. The weight limit of parcels had been raised to 281b., and the maximum length and breadth combined to 7ft. In a case where offices were served by a railway, coach, or steamer, ' tho charge levied for each additional pound in excess of 131b. had been fixed at the low 6um of Id. In addition an "express transit" service had been instituted under which, by, the payment of a fee of 6d., an assurance could bo- obtained that the parcel would be given the same celerity of dispatch as a letter. An acknowledgment of posting was given free of charge to the sender of each parcel forwarded, and a . receipt for each parcel delivered was' taken from the addressee. The convenience afforded to tho public by the use of the automatic stamp-vending machines had During the year 1914 eleven additional machines were installed. The total been recognised by. the Department, number available for use was now 70. It had been decided that in cases where the postage on correspondence amounted to £20 or upwards for one posting a discount of li.per cent, should in future be given. He showed that to the sender up to December 1, 1914, a charge of 10s. had been made to each Eerson sharing in the use of a private ag with tho holder of the bag, but on the date mentioned this charge was abolished. It was thought that this concession would prove of great value to residents in the country districts not •served by, a post office. Mr. Rhodes referred to what the Postal Department had done for various patriotic and relief funds in the way of giving special concession for free transmission, afid | delivery of parcels, etc., and paid a j tribute to tho splendid way in which the whole of. the staffs of tho various Departments under his _ charge had worked. He was glad to' be able to say that so far as he could see the Post and Telegraphic Department would show a good profit at the end of the year. The public could' of course get more concessions still at the expense of profits, but then if the Department did not show a reasonable profit there was an outcry. It was satisfactory to get a balance on the right (side when they saw that tho Australian Department had a deficit of £618,000 last year, whereas they had £96,606 to profit in New Zealand. This year our revenue was still greater. The biggest losses in the New Zealand working was on Press telegrams—£6o.ooo—and ordinary 6d. telegrams—£22,ooo—but on the other hand other Departments such as the telephone section paid well.