It now costs 30 cents to send a local letter.

Postmaster General Clevelyn Crichlow yesterday issued a reminder to the public that postal rates have increased.

The five-cent increases came into effect last Thursday and were published in The Royal Gazette last Saturday.

But Mr. Crichlow yesterday said: "Businesses and members of the public are reporting that they are unaware of any change in postage rates.'' And he warned the public that as of today, any mail which arrived at post offices without the correct postage will be returned to the sender.

It now cost 25 cents to mail a local letter weighing 20 grams.

To send a first-class airmail letter to the US, Canada, and the West Indies it now cost 65 cents; 75 cents to send the same type of mail to the UK and Europe; and 85 cents for letters going to Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.

However, a new provision in the regulations allowed for local mail discounts.

Mailers of large numbers of items locally can receive the discount if they pre-sort the items.