POSTAL MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1924, Page 1

POSTAL MATTERS.

AIR. MARTOtAN’S OPINIONS. AYELLIXGTON, December 22. The Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr A. T. Alarkmaii, returned by the A Lira m a this morning after eight months’ absence abroad. Dis principal mission was to act as New Zealand delegate at the World Postal Congress held some weeks ago at .Stockholm, Sweden, an important convention at which all countries were represented. I’lie deliberations are expected to result greatly to ilie advantage of those - countries which arc distantly removed from the. larger world centres, as it enabled their delegates to gain first-hand information upon the most up-to-date methods in postal work.

Interviewed o,n his arrival this morning, Air Alarkman declined to comment on the conference proceedings, but expressed an interesting opinion upon postal rates obtaining abroad and the possibility of reductions taking place. Although the institution of penny postage in Britain would moan a concession to the public of about live and a half million pounds per annum, which was approximately the amount of profit derived by the British post office last year, lie felt sure that the authoritiesin London would follow New Zealand's example at a very early date. The Commonwealth Postmaster-General had publicly announced that penny postage was impossible in Australia; if the post, office was to lie self-supporting, hut with the p.istpcet of a record yield oT produce this year, and in view of the splendid prices being obtained for wool and the improvement ill trade generally, it should not ho surprising to find Australia following Groat Bifitain with reduced rates. Continental countries were unable to revert to lower rates of postage on account of the unsettled rate of exchange in Europe. Tn such circumstances it could baldly In- f peeled tliat they would reduce, rates until the value of their currency unproved. Mr Alarkman said ho hail been much impressed with tin* iminenstiy of post and telegraphic organisation in Loudon. which lie had been unable to appreciate formerly. The London telephone service, embracing between *>oo 000 and 300.000 subscribers, was al present replacfing the manual exehaimos. which had served their lull term" of usefulness, with automatic oxchahges. hut it was not expected that such a huge change of system could he completely brought ahonl within the next fifteen or twenty years.