The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1926. CASH ON DELIVERY.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1926. CASH ON DELIVERY.

The eash^vn-delivery postal system whereby the Post Office acts as agent for English firms was the subject of spirited protest recently by a deputation representing the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Drapers’ Federation and the booksellers’ and watchmakers' organisations which waited on the Postmaster-General (Ron W. Nosworthy). The chief complaint was

voiced bv Air 'AY. Sim, who said that the system offered a serious form of competition with the local industries. \ very large business was transacted by it on the AYest Coast of the South Island, the value of the parcels received there during the past twelve months being about .(.‘IO,OOO. ’J lie Government, it was maintained, was exceeding its duty in acting as collecting agent for British retail firms. Vafinas forms of abuse had crept in as a result of the system. As ail example it was staled that there was no inspection of footwear and the preferential tariff against goods of foreign manufacture "ns evaded. It "as. known that considerable ([uantities of German and other foreign goods came in duty free without any declaration of foreign manufacture being attached to them. Other speakers stressed the serious trade rivalry which resulted from the convenience provided by the Postal Department. The system was a serious detriment to local business people, the special facilities afforded In cash on delivery being an encouragement to the form, of trading which was proving so objectionable, to the lo al traders. The Ministerial reply was neither helpful nor comforting. The Minister, in replying to the representations, said that New Zealand was linked up with the international cash-on-delivery arrangement between certain countries, and ho understood that wholesale importers obtained their goods under that system at wholesale prices, plus 10 per cent. AVhore ordinary people took advantage of the scheme they received their goods at the Home retail price, plus 10 per cent. ‘’There is a difference bebveon the two prices,” added the Minister. “I take it that the wholesale people utilise the system for the purpose of getting their goods here.” It is a fact of course that the parcel post system is largely availed of for the carriage of Home goods, hut the special objection in the matter was to the Government acting as local agents collecting the value of the parcels when delivering the goods to tho serious detriment of New Zealand retailers. In continuing his remarks, Air Nosworthv supposed that some wholesale houses obtained their goods that way. Regarding it from the broad point of view, he did not think that New Zealand should break away from the Postal arrangement. The Postal Department was for the benefit and the convenience of the whole of the people of the country; the Government could not take up an attitude hostile to the great number who availed themselves of the system. He could not see his way to make any change in the direction sought. The secretary of the Post Office (Mr A. T. Markman) denied that foreign goods came into the country without a declaration, and he said they were net passed by the Customs without an invoice. He said that the percentage of C.O.D. parcels which came into the Dominion last year was only 2.9 of the total. It will ho seen that the system is to stand indefinitely.