Writing's on the wall as postal costs rise

Editorial

The latest move by New Zealand Post to raise the price of sending a standard domestic letter is just another sign of the increased hold email and other forms of electronic communication now have on our daily lives.

The state-owned postal service this week announced an increase in the cost of a standard domestic letter to 70 cents, starting on July 1.

Postage rates for international courier services and some international business letter services will also increase in cost between 2.5 per cent and 5 per cent.

In a statement, the company puts the price rise down to declining letter volumes through the increased uptake of electronic communication, coupled with a simultaneous rise in the cost of transporting, processing and delivering letters.

While the demise of the traditional letter is still some way off, there will be plenty who will mourn its apparent slide into the realm of museum relics and curiosities from times gone past.

While email and other forms of electronic communication such as Skype and instant messaging offer plenty of benefits in terms of ease of use and speed, there's still a particular charm to receiving an "old-fashioned" letter in the mail. Perhaps it's the knowledge that someone has taken the time to sit down and craft their letter, rather than frantically banging out a quick message on a keyboard.

It's hard to see the trend being reversed over time - if anything, the increasing use of technology such as iPads in our schools will only serve to speed up the process.

Not to tempt fate, but so far it appears Wanganui drivers are adapting well to the new give way rules.

Whether that's a sign of the efficacy of the advertising campaign implemented prior to the change, or simply that we Wanganui drivers are a law-abiding bunch who took care to learn the new rules before the switchover, remains to be seen.

However, the lack of crashes right across the country would suggest the former is the more likely option.

The publicity blitz appears to be winding down now, so perhaps the real test is still to come.

It serves as a reminder that even the most experienced of drivers needs to remain vigilant at all times.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz