WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

“CASH ON DELIVERY” BUSINESS PEOPLE DISSATISFIED (Special to “Guardian”.) WELLINGTON, June 11. Some time ago a deputation of Wellington business men waiter! upon the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to protest against what is popularly known as “Cash on Delivery” .system of trading by which purchasers in the Dominion may send their orders for a variety of articles to traders in the Old Country and pay cash for the goods when they receive them through the Post Office, postage and duty, of course, being charged. It was represented to Mr Coates and. his colleague that the system was both unfair to the local traders and detrimental to the interests of- the community, since it diverted business from the Dominion, and also lessened the demand for labour. It meant, in short, that the Government, through the Past Office, became the agent of the outside trader, both in the transport of his goods and in the collection of his accounts. After giving consideration to the matter the Prime Minister informed the deputation that the system would be continued for another year and then might be reviewed again.

A FURTHER PROTEST. Now, it seems, a further effort is to -be made to induce tile Government to withdraw from this branch of the agency business. A petition for presentation to- Parliament praying for the discontinuance cif the system lias been prepared and already lias received the support of several Chambers of Commerce. It is stated, apparently on official authority, that during tho financial year closed on March 31st. last the “Cash on Delivery” business ran into nearly £IOO,OOO, and, from what can' bo gathered from tho firms affected, it appears to be rapidly growing in popularity. It has been suggested, indeed, that if the Post Office itself refused to facilitate this class of business the traders at Home would at once establish a joint agency here and largely extend their operations. As far ns can he ascertained, by a fairly extensive inquiry, a large majority of the Wellington purchasers tinder the system are well pleased by their somewhat hazardous bargains, both prices and quality being satisfactory; but whether or not the system is a fair deal to the local shopkeepers is another question. RAILWAY POLICY.

Business men here agree that Miff. H. Sterling, the new general manager of railways, struck the right note when addressing tho commercial travellers in Auckland on Saturday. “My idea,” he said, “is not to wrap myself up in cotton wool and lock myself up in a glass case office in Wellington. I hope to came out and meet my public- and .mv men, and I hope if any of you fed,there is anything wrong about the railways you will come to me and have it out as mail to man.” This is just tho spirit that should lie maintained, and Mr Sterling on his side may be trusted to encourage its expression, but it must not. be assumed that his predecessors in office ever discouraged such “heart to heart” talks as he has in contemplation. The members of the board were ar. courteous ns the new.manager is sure to be with the larger administrative authority entrusted to him. ALL BLACKS ABROAD.

Wellington foklny is not pleased with the team that represented New Zealand football on tho field at Johannesburg on Saturday. It is not greatly concerned over the defeat of the New Zealanders by the sturdy South Africans. That was a disappointment, but not a catastrophe. “The Transvaal forward; were too good for our men,” a friendly correspondent cables, “in fact New Zealand was beaten fore and aft in the whole eighty minutes of the game. There was not even a suggestion of class football, and it is doubtful whether an All Black team ever played such distractingly poor Rugby.” The-manager describes the game as “hard fought.” evidently intending the term to convey no compliment to the players, and offers consolation in the fact that there wore offenders»on both sides. Again Now Zealand well might set about a review of the ethics of its football. The result of the game, after all, is of much, less consequence than is the manner in which it is played.