POSTAGE AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17316, 30 November 1921, Page 4

POSTAGE AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

WORLD-WIDE CHEAP RATES. , (FROM OUR OVTV CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, October 19. ''Cheap Postage" forms the subject of a letter which Lord 'Blyth addresses to ''The Times'' to-day. "At this anxious moment," he writes, "when all thoughtful minds are at one with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet regarding th 0 absolute necessity of an immediate solution of the unemployed problem as an insurance of industrial peace, will you allow me to voice'the considered opinion of the majority of them that whatever methods be adopted, and however sound they prove in practice must bo shorn of much of their efficacy if at the same time a universal oheap post be not linked up with , their "Unemployment being now an international question and tne main source of our future industrial prosperity being chiefly through international and foreign trade, it is all the more imperative that we forthwith have this cheap postage, not only inland, but worldwide. This is the talisman that -will bring the entire globe to our feet, and that will multiply, to infinity, exchanges of letters which are potential ambassadors of commerce and ■which convey daily information, so essential, regarairig buyers and sellers in all the markets of the world." When the higher rates, of postage came into operation recently, there were those who said that firms wishing to distribute circulars would not avail themselves of the British postage, but would send their material in bulk to the Continent of America, to be forwarded from there. That this is what is happening is disclosed in a letter appearing in "The Times." "I enclose various documents which reach me from the Public Schools 41pine Sports Club," says the writer. "I am mvited to fish in Lake Vyrnwy in Montgomeryshire, or in the alternative to go sRi-ing at Pontresima; but, while I am trying to decide which I shall do, I notice that though the letter is dated from Upper Woburn Place, London, it is posted on the Continent, and bears a 10c. Belgian postage stamp. The prospectus says that the. Earl of Lytton is a vice-president of this club. I believe he is also a member of his Government. Couldn't he speak to his colleague, the Postmaster-General, and 6ee whether this apparent loss of revenue cannot be obviated ? Or is it possible, that there is a. saving to the British taxpayer by following this practice? If 60, wo ougnt to be told. A notice on the pillar letter-boxes, Do not post your letters here. Send them to Belgium and make the foreigner' pay,' would set things right."