§ An hon. MEMBER on behalf of Sir GEORGE BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)I beg to ask the Postmaster General, in view of the recent establishment of an all-sea-route for Mails to Australia; and, having regard to the rates levied on packets exceeding four ounces in weight, whether he will take into consideration the expediency of reducing the postage of Book Post packets for the Australian Colonies?
§ *THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES,) Cambridge UniversityI can assure my hon. Friend that the question to which he has called my attention has not been lost sight of. For some time past I have recognised the expediency of giving some relief in regard to book and sample packets for Australasia exceeding 4 oz. in weight; but difficulties have hitherto intervened. Those difficulties have now been removed; and I am happy to be able to inform the House that, with the approval of the Treasury, a reduced scale of charge will be introduced from the 1st of May for book packets and patterns sent by the all-sea route to Australia. A public notice on the subject will be issued to-morrow.