NEW POSTAL RATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1920, Page 4

NEW POSTAL RATES.

BURDEN ON TARANAKI FIRMS,

To what extent the increased rates announced by the Post and Telegraph Department will affect business bouses may not be generally recognised, but enquiries made by a Daily News reporter in New Plymouth elicit ithat the weekly payments under this heading will be considerably increased. A representative of one firm states that in the course of their business a good deal of telegraphic work is done, and he estimates the telegrams account will be increased about £3 per week, as many as. thinly messages being received daily, with a similar total out-, ward. With the despatch of hundreds of letters and circulars postages will amount from £1 10s to £2 more than hitherto. Another house, whose telegraphic operations are considerable, anticipate curtailing the sending of telegrams in view of the higher rates. In this instance frequent use is made of the telephone for getting in touch with country clients, so the advance in bureau rates will mean increased running charges. The reducing of calls in this connection, however, is not likely, as it is regarded as an important branch. The official view of tlie new scale casts a somewhat different light on the argument about the increased charges. It has been estimated that the amount of money which will be brought in by tlie new charges will just about cover the increases in the cost of administration. The wages of all employees have gone up, and means had to be taken to meet them. It was not possible to raise the emolument of practically everyone in a big service like the Post and T\elesraph Department Without deviaing means to C&y the