CHRISTMAS MAILS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 9

CHRISTMAS MAILS

LAST DATES POST EARLIER THAN USUAL At this time of the year the Post Office is usually able to assist New Zealanders in regard to their Christmas correspondence by giving details of the " last dates ” for posting to various parts of the world. Under present circumstances, this information cannot be explicit, for reasons well understood. Early posting is always recommended, because of the immense volume of mails handled during the Christmas season. There is an additional reason lor stressing the “ early posting ” advice this year, as the sea routes are frequently varied, and voyages may take longer than under normal conditions. Transit time being thus uncertain, allowance must be made for this if correspondents wish their seasonable messages to reach overseas points at the appropriate time. There is no cause to curtail overseas correspondence, for there has been no restriction on the facilities since the war began. For mails to reach various overseas countries before Christmas, the best advice the Post Office can give is that postings should not be later than the following:— Great Britain and Europe: November (second week). Pacific Islands (including Cook, Fiji, Fanning, Hawaii, Samoa and Tonga): November (third week). U.S.A. and Canada: November (last week). Eastern Countries: November (last week). Australia: Mid-December. Increased Postage Rates Recent increases in postage by way of war surtax must be taken into consideration. There is always a large despatch overseas about this time of illustrated Christmas annuals printed in the Dominion. Taking the new surcharge into account, the postages now to be paid on these Christmas annuals comprise id for each 4oz. to inland addresses; id for each 3oz. addressed to Empire destination; and id for each 2oz. addressed to foreign countries. A posting point of importance in connection with Christmas cards is the difference between sealing the envelope or leaving it open. Cards unenclosed or placed in open envelopes may be posted to either inland or overseas addresses for Id, but if the envelopes are sealed, full letter rates are charged.