§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the public by the delay in delivery of postal packets containing printed matter posted at the ½d. rate after 3.30 p.m.; and whether he can arrange to have such packets collected and delivered with the ordinary letters without the delay of the present procedure?
§ Mr. PEASEA few such complaints have come to my notice. In order to relieve the sorting offices during the hours of pressure in the evening, the reduction of the postage on printed matter to ½d. was coupled with the proviso that cor- 599W respondence paid for at this low rate should be posted before a specified time in the afternoon if required to be dealt with the same day. This restriction is on the lines recommended by the Geddes Committee in their Report on the Post Office. In view of the considerable economies and improvements in staffing effected thereby, I regret I am unable further to extend the scope of the reduced rate, which, I may point out, is Below cost. Printed matter posted after the specified time and bearing a penny stamp is not subject to delay.