THE HIGH COST OF POSTAGE
Sta,—Mr. D. Groyther Moore does well in calling attention to the profiteering of the Post Office which, in spite of a surplus of £36,000,000 in 1945-46, still charges 21d. for delivering a letter although it has reduced the service it renders. What howls of execration would issue from Labour lips if any private firm were guilty of raising its prices to that extent and at the same time giving less value for money. Formerly, letters were delivered three times on Saturdays and once, in some areas, on Sunday morning. Now, in effect, there is only one delivery on Saturday, the first, for the alleged second delivery round about noon is chiefly of circulars and penny postage which ought to have been delivered with the earlier mail. At one time the public were allowed to call at the Post Office on Saturday evening to enquire for any letters that might have arrived since the morning, a concession that was made in as graceless a manner as possible, but even that concession has been changed for the worse ; and the public, who employ the Post Office officials, are compelled to pay a " search " fee of threepence before they can receive their correspondence. I cart;- perhaps, best illustrate the profiteering in the Post Office by setting out the cost of paying, by post, a bill of £2 or more:
Formealy Today Postage on bill Id.
Stamp on cheque Id. 2d.
Postage of cheque 1d. na.
Receipt stamp ld. 2d.
Postage on receipt id. Id.
Total 4d. 8id.
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