§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Postmaster-General why he concedes to the mercantile community and others the right to transmit their accounts and other business statements, invoices, etc., by ½d. post when in an unsealed envelope, and in like manner permits the same documents to be returned receipted, but should charge letter rate when the account is returned accompanied by a cheque under the same conditions; and, if there is no definite rule on the subject, will he circulate such a direction in order that there may be universality and continuity in the treatment of such letters?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIt has long been a definite rule both of the Postal Union and of the British Postal Administration that no article which, like a cheque, is indicative of a monetary value shall be sent in a packet which, like a printed packet, must be left open to inspection in order that it may be possible to discover whether or not the regulations applicable to the reduced rate of postage have been complied with. Any paper money found in a printed packet, therefore, renders the printed packet liable to surcharge as an underpaid letter, and possibly to compulsory registration as well.