C.O.D. PARCELS.

Wairarapa Age, 3 February 1927, Page 5

C.O.D. PARCELS.

DOMINION TRADERS HARD HIT. PROTEST BY JEWELLERS. AUCKLAND, February, 2. Opposition to the cash on delivery system of sending parcels of goods from "England was expressed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Retail Watchmakers and Jewellers’ Association, and a resolution was passed expressing the hope that the Government would shortly abolish the procedure. Mr. M. M. Heinemann said the annual value of parcels being- landed in New Zealand was rapidly increasing. In 1923, it was £4217, in 1924 £11,615; and. in 1925, £32,952; while the figures for 1926 would be in the vicinity of £60,000. Traders were suffering severely, and im his opinion the system was very unfair. Local traders bore the burden of trade losses, paid income tax and generally subscribed to the country’s revenue. Yet the Government wa» aitjing retailers in England to use the Dominion Post Office as a sort of clearing house where they received value for the goods landed, or, in the event of payment not being made, a guarantee for. the returh of their goods. A deputation had recently waited upon the Hon. W. Nosworthy (PostmasterGeneral), who, however, had stated that the increasing figures pointed to the fact that New Zealand traders were adxious to purchase goods under the C. O. D. system, and it was tho Government’s duty to assist them. A representative deputation then wailed upon the Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Acting-Prime Minister) who promised to go into the matter and see whether the system could be stopped.—(P.A.).