POSTAL REFORM
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Now that Mr. Chamberlain has adjusted our finances so satisfactorily on a national scale, might I venture to suggest that certain of his colleagues in the Cabinet might be stimu- lated to introduce an important and vital Postal. Reform. I have particularly in mind the development of Imperial air mail communications, which unfortunately have not kept pace with Empire expansion as a whole. Has not the time now arrived when, in place of the costly and variable rates now charged, there should be established a low flat rate for all Empire mails carried by air ?
As one who has devoted many years to Imperial affairs, I cannot stress too strongly the importance of quick, cheap and facile transport of mails between one part of the Empire and another, and none will deny that for this purpose the air presents on all counts the greatest potentialities. The intro- duction of a low flat rate would be one of the most important and effective steps which could be taken at the present time to encourage industry throughout the Empire. There is no commercial centre in Great Britain that would not cordially welcome such a development.
Cities which have a large overseas export trade would espe- cially benefit by such a measure. In fact there are no classes in the community who would not derive advantages from it in one form or another. It is only by bringing pressure to bear in appropriate quarters that this reform will take place, and Chambers of Commerce and other organized commercial bodies could have great influence in this direction.—I am,
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