NEW POSTAL RATES IN PNG - Jan 2003

Member No. 1115 recently sent this update from PNG:-
Of interest to you.....but of greater interest to the people of PNG was the increase in postal rates as of 1Jan 2003.
eg; Domestic letter rate: 0.65t
Aust /NZ; 2.50 ****
Sing/ HK: 1.50 ****
Eu/ USA: 4.00
These rates are taken from an official brochure;(**** these figures do not look correct...but that is what is printed.)
Massive increases in parcel post have occurred eg to send a 20Kg parcel AIRMAIL to Eu/USA etc will cost K1400.00.
I repeat K1400.00. Someone might like to send me K1400.00 and I will with interest post you a parcel with 70 x K20.00 stamps...should make an excellent postal history item. The same item could be sent surface mail to Eu/USA for K700.00 !!!; You can imagine the comments coming from the peoplein PNG. The freight couriers are much cheaper.
To put matters into perspective the value of the Kina a few months ago had a large fall, it has recently recovered to buy approx Aust. 41.4 cents., 23.5centsUS; 14.6 p UK; 22.5 EU
Other rates of interes:-
Aerogrammes; 2.50
Registered mail; 2.50
Domestic PSE; 1.50
Domestic parcel post; 501gr to 1 kilo.... 20.00

What this means for those receiving PPS covers is that there will be large increases forthcoming. Ron might consider adding a note in PNG CALLING regarding cost increases, for recipients to consider.
One Cover service parcel (#28) is still outstanding; Varage said this was sent (possibly via Lae for onwards forwarding) to the reopened PAIAM PO - reopened 18/11/02. I cannot recall when it was closed and Varage did not know. Paiam is administered from Lae (the Northern Region) so we have the added problem of getting proof copies of any new postmarker ordered by Lae. Lae has always been a pain to get information....and that even when official requests are made. I have asked Varage to allow the covers to go through at the old rates.
Konedobu and Badili completely closed in Aug/Sept???2002. actual date not known ...refer previous info re partial closure.
Jacksons PO closed 6/12/02
Hohola PO closed 6/12/02
North Waigani PO closed 6/12/02
Hohola and North Waigani were in shopping centres . The 'official' reason for closure is renovations..owners requiring extra space.. in the both centres. Unofficially it may be a cost cutting measure as all remaining official PO's have lots of unused boxes. Box rental has also increased dramatically.....K49.50 (small box)
Various new stamp issues have occurred with the usual peddling of sheetlets etc. Buyer beware!!!
Thats all. The wet has arrived in Pom. The many miles of unfinished roadworks are now a bigger mess.