PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1916, Page 3

PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS.

ARE CHARGES TOO HIGH? (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb. S. Many complaints arc made regarding the high rates of postage on parcels for the men at the front. The postal charge for a parcel weighing under 31b is Is iy 2 d, 31b to 71b 2s 7y 2 d, 71b to 111b 4s iy»d. Your correspondent learned in the. course of an inquiry on this point that the Postal Department makes no profit on these rates. Indeed, it is probable that an actual loss is incurred, owing to the very heavy expenses that have to be incurred in connection with the conveyance and delivery of the parcels to the men at the front. The Egyptian postal authorities have to be paid for their services, large staffs have to be maintained at various points, and rail and steamer charges have to be»'met. These charges have had the consideration of the authorities, but in the present state »f the public finances it is not thought that a reduction can be made. If the Department adopted all the suggestions made for the improvement of the service in the interests of the men at the front, the charges would have to be raised if serious loss was to be avoided.