§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, why the petition of the postmen of Kendal for an increase of their maximum of 24s., on the ground of the excessive cost of living 1299 in the neighbourhood of the English Lake District, has been refused; and whether he is aware that a similar petition, based on the same grounds, from the Kendal clerical staff, was acceded to some time ago, and an increase of 4s. granted?
§ MR. HANBURYThe petition was refused because, after full consideration, it was found that the existing pay was adequate, and compared favourably with that in force at other places of the same class. The increase of 4s. was granted to the sorting clerks and telegraphists at Kendal under the scheme recommended by Lord Tweedmouth's Committee, and not as the result of a petition from those officers. The wages of sorting clerks and telegraphists depend upon the number of letters or telegrams dealt with in each office, their duties, becoming more intricate and important as the business increases. The duty of a postman is not affected in quality by any increase of business; and there is, therefore, no reason for assuming that a revision of the wages of the indoor staff is any argument for altering the pay of the postmen.