ftp: macdef in .netrc doesn't work

[Pierre Frenkiel]

hi everybody,
I want to use the ftp CLI program from package "ftp"
According "man ftp" and "man netrc", one can define a ftp macro using the macdef command.
In fact, when I try to use this macro. once connected, I get the message: "macro not found"
(The .netrc file is actually used, as my login and password are recognised.)

I also asked this question at answers.launchpad, but no answer...
Has anybody an idea?

PS: please don't tell me to use ncftp instead: it doesn't work in my case.

-- 
Pierre Frenkiel