IRREGULAR MAILS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 98, 19 January 1921, Page 8

IRREGULAR MAILS

POSTAL AUTHORITIES’ EXPLANATION DISPATCH VIA PANAMA TO BE ARRANGED ON EXPIRY OF SAN FRANCISCO CONTRACT The Wellington Central Chamber ol Commerce met yesteidyy Mr. A. L. Hunt was in the chair. There were also present Alessrs. R. J. Hardie Shaw, W. D. Dobson, IL J. S. Rickard, C. J. Ward, AV. T. Cotton, J. L. Arcus, L. A. Edwards, and W. J. Gaudin. It was decided to hold a general meeting of the chamber on Thursday, January 27, for the purpose of setting up a special committee to consider the question of the revision of the Customs tariff. The secretary reported that following articles which appeared in Tub Dominion recently regarding the irregularity of the overseas mail service, the First Assistant Secretary to the G.P.0., Mr. M'Namara, had been approached personally that morning with a view to arriving at a solution of the trouble. Mr. M'Namara gave his assurance that the Postal authorities, both in New Zealand and the Old Country, wero doing their best in the matter. The uncertainty of steamers’ sailing times and consequent missing of connections seemed to be the main cause of delays. The various shipping companies were all endeavouring to keep faith, but were hampered by trouble with the crews of their vessels. In connection with the arrival of goods before their respective papers and bills of lading, the only possible remedy that could bo suggested by the Department, stated the secretary, was that in future the shippers should arrange that all papers leave by fhe same vessels as the consignments to which they related. This could be accomplished by addressing mail matter per the same vessel as the goods. "The Postal authorities are of the opinion,” concluded the secretary, "that matters will right themselves in time, but it may be a long process. Incidentally, Mr. M'Namara mentioned that the first mail to run to schedule from New Zealand since the war arrived in London on the Bth of this month; and also on the expiry of the present San Francisco mail contract the Department is going to- arrange for the .dispatch of mails via Panama.”