§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)asked the Postmaster General, Is it true that the cost of sending small sums of money to Malta and Gibraltar, to which emigrants do not go, ranges from ½d. for 1s. 6d. to 1½d. for 20s.; yet these sums cannot be sent through the post to Canada, or any other place where the emigrants do go, for less than 6d.; and, has he under his consideration any alteration of this system?
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAINES) (Cambridge University)The case is as stated by the hon. Member, and the explanation is simple. To Malta and Gibraltar postal orders are available on the same terms as within the United Kingdom itself. Indeed, until recently the Post Offices in those two Dependencies were under the direct control of the Imperial Post Office, and practically enjoyed all the advantages of the Imperial Postal System. Canada, on the other hand, although invited to participate in the postal order system to the same extent as it has been adopted in India and some of the Colonies, has not hitherto shown any disposition to do so. Consequently, the money order system alone is open to the public for the remittance of small sums of money, for which the lowest charge is 6d. for any sum not exceeding £2. I shall be happy to communicate again with the Canadian Post Office on the subject.