REFORM OF POSTAL RATES.
[To TEE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The contention of the editor of the People's Friend in the Spectator of October 31st is, of course, a common-sense one ; but the whole dealing of the Post Office with newspapers is characterised by lack of common-sense. Newspapers do more, directly and indirectly, to bring revenue to the Post Office than any other trade; and in return they are harassed whenever opportunity offers. Take one instance. An ordinary letter, failing to find its destination, is returned free of charge to the sender. A newspaper, in similar circumstances, is only returned if a request to that effect is printed on the wrapper; and then the publisher is charged a halfpenny for extra postage. I fought this stupid bit of oppression several years ago, and was convicted and fined at Bow Street. I had the thanks of several influential journals; but I could not get what I wanted,—a strong combination of strong journals to worry Parliament till it recasts the Post Office Act, which gives the Postmaster-General practically power to do exactly what he pleases. In America the Post Office knows its busi- ness, and encourages the transmission of newspapers by all means. Long ago we ought to have had a farthing newspaper.. rate here, not in the interest of newspapers, but in that of
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