To the Editor of the "Nomru-CiiNa Dat NEWS"
Sir—The announcement in your issue' of December 27, that Manchoukuo postal rates for mails des-{ined to foreign countries are to be owered by 60'per cent, gives rise to tthe question of the high postal rates at present prevailing in China, The rates for both letters and parcels are excessive by comparison With other costs and for that reason fare restrictive, There are many artiles that could be purchased cheaply {in the shops but to forward them to friends at home would cost a sum for postage quite out of proportion to the value of the article. dition to this there is the further difficulty in' export customs ¢x-amination necessitate considerable trouble in despot the parcel. of making the purchase and the shops are left with goods fon bane which are both attractive and cheap and on the other hand there are many who would be only too glad to purchase were they able "send away the articles for abroad without so much trouble snd expense and loss of time.
To the zetail trader the question is important and it may be much more important than is realised in the greater question of export trade and its reaction on the well-being. Of many who are striving to earn living and working for next to nothing. because the supply exceeds demand which ig limited by the testrietions imposed.
Loaislation appears to be designed for export in bulk and shippers of large quantities at a time are able to handle goods with greater~ense find at comparatively tess cost, The extra expense of handling small packages Is appreciated but col-Tectively, they. may amount to a greater value to the country as a (Whole than the high charges bring in to a single department, The cost of a letter to Europe at 25 cents with an additional 15 cents when slightly over weight is heavy fand many would welcome a lowering by 60 per cent. to bring the letter rate nearer the old figure of 10 cents, Shanghai, Jan. 4.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.