§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)asked the Postmaster General, If he could state to the House the amount of money received by friends, relatives, &c, in England from Australia last year through the Money Order Office; and, the number of remitters?
§ MR. O'HEAasked, Whether the Postmaster General was not aware that the postal rate of letters to Australia under half an ounce was 6d., and that this was a prohibitive rate to the poorer classes?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In reply to the hon. Member (Mr. Henniker Heaton), I have to state that the value of the money orders issued on the United Kingdom in Australia in the year 1885–6, which is the last year in respect of which the Returns are completed, was £346,645, as will be seen at page 52 of the last Annual Report of the Post Office; and the number of orders was about 100,000. The number of remitters could not be ascertained without an examination of each order, involving much labour and expense. The Returns for the current year cannot be made up until the receipt of the accounts from Australia up to the 31st of March next. I am fully aware of the importance of the subject referred to in the second Question. I believe that it is to be brought before the House in another form.