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Gift Parcels

Approximately 80,000 gift parcels
are sent from New Zealand each
month to relatives and friends in
the United Kingdom and Europe,
but 90 per cent. Of them are for
Britain. During the quarter
January 1 to March 31, 1946, 156,661
parcels were despatched from New
Zealand for destinations throughout
the world, and of that total approxi-
mately 137,385 were for the United
Kingdom and Europe, most of them
being for Britain. A total of 79,179
[overseas] parcels was posted during
April and 83,074 in May.

The regulations still limit the
weight of gift parcels for Britain
to 11 lbs., including wrapping, and a
parcel may not contain more than
7 lbs. of food, or over 2 lbs. of any
one variety of food except cake, of
which up to 5 lbs. may be sent.
Soap or other goods which are in
short supply in Britain may be used
to bring the parcel up to the re-
quired weight. There is no object-
tion to the posting of a parcel con-
taining 11 lbs. of soap or any other
items except tea, provided the weight
limit is observed.

The postal authorities appeal for
care in packing liquids and such
foods as honey and treacle. If
soldering is not practicable, the tins
should be firmly sealed by means
of a gummed strip round the lids.
Electricians’ adhesive tape or
medical tape may be used. Even
then it is advisable to wrap some
absorbent packing round the tin.

Much trouble is caused by care-
less packing. In some cases card-
board cartons with tin lids and
bottoms are used. The cardboard
sides are easily damaged and the
contents of the carton ooze out,
spoiling not only the contents of the
individual parcel, but those of
others in the 50 lb. mail bag.
During loading and unloading there
is considerable pressure on the mail
bags as the slings tighten up, with
possibility of damage to inadequate-
ly packed parcels.

The postage to the United King-
dom is 2/- on a 3 lb. parcel, 3/4 on
a 7 lb. parcel and 4/6 on an 11 lb.
parcel.