PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24226, 19 February 1940, Page 8

PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS

POSTAGE TO EGYPT REDUCTION IN CHARGES NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING “ It is not yet possible to announce any reduction in the present postage rate for parcels forwarded from New Zealand to our soldiers in Egypt.” said the Postmaster-general (Mr F. Jones), in response to a question yesterday. The Minister explained that before any appreciable reduction in charges could be granted, it was necessary to reach finality in conversations which had been proceeding for. some time with the Egyptian Government. The aim of those conversations was to effect a reduction in the charges normally made by the country of destination in respect of post parcels and to have the overseas Administration agree to a departure, in respect of gifts forwarded to soldiers, from the procedure normally followed of levying Customs duty on all articles of the kind entering a country. _ “The public may rest assured.” Mr Jones said, “that every endeavour is being made to facilitate the discussions. and that at the earliest possible moment a full announcement will be made,” He added that the same difficulty—that of -reaching agreement with the authorities overseas—applied in the case of cable messages to members of the New Zealand Forces in Egypt. The Minister said he appreciated that the ordinary rate to Egypt was high, and the Government was making every endeavour to secure agreement to a new arrangement under which it should be possible to offer to the public here a very much cheaper rate.