SUGGESTED REFORMS FOR THE POST OFFICE

By Dios. G. JAMESON, F.C.I.S., Chairman of the Postal Committee of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.

IFVERYONE is interested, more or less, in our Post Office Services, and here are some of the ways by which, in my opinion, the Post Office could improve its services, not only without injury to its revenue, but probably with good results thereto.

(1) Reinstate id. postage, (a) by charging for all communications, including postcards which arc posted in. the collection boxes, up to and including, 2 oz. each.. ld. for each 2 oz. extra Such communications to be despatched by the first available mail after posting ; (b) by charging for all purely advertising circulars and postcards, conforming to the following regulations, up to and including 2 oz. each for each 2 oz. extra. • • • . .. d.

Conditions for (b) :- That they be handed over the counters. of post offices during the hours such offices are open, with a printed, typewritten or written declaration. stating— (1) The sender's name and address.

(2) Nothing is in writing, and (3) That they may be despatched by a later mail, but not exceeding 24 hours from the time at which they are handed in.

(2) The Postmaster-General to provide openings in and affix the necessary ironwork in doors for the delivery of communications. The cost would be saved time and time over in the first year, owing to the smaller number of postmen required, and it would be a continuous saving.

(3) The Postmaster-General to obtain powers to compel every municipal or other authority concerned to give a name to all roads, streets, &c., and to make property owners affix or paint a number to each house. Those who know—and who does not know ?—the time wasted in finding an unnumbered or fancy-named house in a street will at once realize the saving in time in sorting and delivery which would be effected.

(4) Installation, at a cheap rental, of private collection boxes in the premises of firms who post a certain number of communications per day. This would do more to spread the posting of correspondence over the day than any appeal or regulation any Postmaster-General has made up to the present time.

(5) Supply franking machines on favourable terms to • • id-

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• • • • firms and individuals who post sufficient communica- tions to warrant these.

(6) Instal far more automatic machines for the supply of postage stamps.

. (7) Provide self-registering weighing machines for use both by the postal staff and the public, particularly in -busy post offices.

(8) Allow heavier parcels to be Posted..

(9) Collect parcels from a much larger number of business firms than is done at present.

(10) Insurance of parcels. Reduce cost and don't hedge the Post Office with so many restrictions against compensation.

(11) Increase number of motor-cars and motor-cycles for collection and delivery of communications and packages.

(12) Stop the free redelivery of redirected corres- peindence.

(13) Cut out time and expense now incurred in dealing with correspondence and in settling many minor matters by giving greater powers to postmaster-surveyors and other important- and responsible officers, instead of the London headquarters having to be consulted so much. (14) Advertise far more the facilities offered to the public by .publishing a Id. booklet setting forth in plain language the chief facilities offered. The Postmaster- General or some high official to speak on the wireless every three months on this subject.

115) Remoye telephones • from the inside of suburban and rural post offices to the outside, thus more than doubling the use to the public.

.(16) Don't introduce regulations (e.g., the 4d. printed paper regulation of May 29th; 1922) which hinder and drive away the trade of the country.

(17) Are so many small post offices in suburbs of cities required ? Would it not be possible to have a few more district offices for the transaction of all classes of post office work and allow any tradesman to sell -stamps, which after all are the things chiefly required ?

(18) Revise salaries paid to girls training for tele- phonists.

(19) Look upon the Postal Service as one in which the public are most concerned ; not the postal staff.

(20) Encourage the public to make suggestions for economy and improvements in the postal services, and reward liberally the persons whose suggestions are adopted.. .

(21) Postmaster-General to hold office for, say, three years, and then to be re-elected or removed in accordance with the ability shown, no matter what political party may be in office.

(22) Parliament to devote far more time to the Post Oflice Services and Estimates when these are brought up for discussion.

It may be that, in actual practice, one or more of the proposals made may not be found to work satisfactorily, but it is claimed the proposals are worthy of considera- tion by the " powers that be " and by all who are interested in both the vital questions of how to reduce the cost of carrying on the business of this country and of obtaining greater efficiency in this public department.