MR. HEYGATEasked the Postmaster General, If his attention has been called to an advertisement of "The Post Office Tea," which purports to be "supplied by Postmasters only in Great Britain and Ireland," and which is sold by Postmasters at the Post Office in various country towns; and, whether he has received any complaints from grocers and others injuriously affected by such competition?
§ MR. MONSELLMy attention, Sir, has been called to an advertisement of the "Post Office Tea," which purports to be supplied only to postmasters in Great Britain and Ireland. Complaints on the subject have been received from grocers; but these, with one exception, have been directed against the use of a medallion on the circulars in imitation of a postage stamp. Such a trade mark was calculated to give rise to the im- 432 pression that the circulars were being issued by authority, or, as one of the memorialists expressed himself, that "Her Majesty's Postmaster General had gone into the tea trade." It has since been discontinued at the instigation of the Department. As to the title adopted for the tea, the Department, though thinking it objectionable, has not the power to interfere. Neither was there any regulation prohibiting postmasters from selling tea on commission.