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Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2365, 6 September 1887, Page 2

After all the pressure placed on the Postmaster-General to introduce into tins colony the Parcel Post on the same basis as the system now in force in Great Britain, and after all the expectation raised, as to its utility and results when placed in operation, we confess to a feeling of great disappointment on reading the publication of the rates fixed upon by the authorities. In England the Post-office department was ultimately led into undertaking the gigantic task in order to relieve the public from the inconveniences and losses they suffered at the hands of the railway companies in the conveyance of small goods. The astounding success of the Government system at Home has more than realised the most hopeful anticipations, and it has proved an immense boon to people in the provinces. But our brilliant administrators cannot afford to study the public convenience, their sole idea is to produce revenue. In order, moreover, not to become competitors with their own railways they have fixed parcel post rates on the same principal as the railway scale of charges is formed. A book or parcel weighing 11b can be forwarded by the ordinary post for 8d; by the new system it will cost 7cl. It will be cheaper to send a parcel weighing 2lbs than one weighing 11b, for the charge is 3d per lb if over 11b in weight. This is the principle in the Railway Department where it is cheaper to forward two tons of manure than to forward one ton. r he maximum rate fixed upon for ilie parcel post is 3s Id for 1 libs, which is the maximum weight allowed. This is considerably higher than the railway parcel rates, therefore, it is evident, there is an understanding not to interfere with the railway traffic and revenue. Thu new regulations also limit the dimensions of any parcel to six feet by measurement, an extraordinary size for a parcel that must not weigh more than 11 lbs. It is clear that the Department do not intend to strain their muscles and energies with heavy burdens. The rates are far above the charges made by the various Parcel Delivery Companies in the principal cities, therefore the system can afford no inducements for the better conveyance of small parcels in the towns, whilst so far as the country districts are concerned they are simply prohibitive. We doubt very much whether they offer any particular facilities in the same direction over the costal rates between the various sea - ports. The whole thing reads like a mockery, and is only another instance of the traditional “ How not to do it policy of our Wellington Tite Burnacles.”