SOPA leads fight to retain HK print mailing charges

<p>HONG KONG: The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) is lobbying the </p><p>government to reconsider plans to abolish the printed paper rate, a </p><p>special rate for the mailing of print products such as magazines and </p><p>newspapers. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>SOPA chairman Barrie Goodridge said regional newspapers and magazines </p><p>based in Hong Kong should receive special consideration. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Most international publishers in Asia are based in Hong Kong and we are </p><p>their biggest customers - Hong Kong Post should be giving their best </p><p>customers the best possible terms," said Goodridge, who is also the </p><p>chief executive of Publicitas. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"I understand that Hong Kong Post is in deficit but if they don't listen </p><p>to us, it could encourage some of the publishers to print elsewhere, </p><p>which would aggravate its position, not improve it." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Frank Procter, chairman of the SOPA sub-committee on government </p><p>relations and general manager of Newsweek Pacific, said: "Publishers </p><p>would be forced to use the bulk economy rate, which means worse service </p><p>and the non-timely delivery of our products to our readers" if the </p><p>printed paper rate were abolished. He said one possible solution was to </p><p>significantly improve the bulk economy service first before scrapping </p><p>the printed paper rate. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Hong Kong Post recently deferred its average 6.5 per cent increase in </p><p>postal charges - the first such hike in four years - from October this </p><p>year to April next year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A spokesman said that the deferment took "into account the current </p><p>economic situation", as well as calls from the public for a </p><p>postponement. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Procter described the decision as a positive sign, saying the Government </p><p>was reacting to public concerns. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We had also put forward our arguments against a hike this year because </p><p>noone has budgeted for increased postal costs this year. We've asked </p><p>that any upward revision take place in the new budget year beginning </p><p>next April, which gives businesses time to prepare themselves for higher </p><p>costs," he said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>