to the needs of commerce and industry
and of private intercourse in general."[368] The new rate was 1 centime
for each 10 grammes, with a minimum of 4 centimes for political, and 2
centimes for non-political newspapers.

This reduction of rate, together with the reduction for other printed
matter, for samples, and for commercial papers, resulted in a large
increase in the number of bulky packets sent by post. In order to ensure
prompt delivery, it was found necessary in Paris to separate to some
extent the letter-post traffic from the traffic sent at the lower rates,
and the principle of providing a separate staff of postmen for the
delivery of newspapers, magazines, samples, etc., was introduced.[369]
The application of this principle has since been extended, and the two
kinds of traffic are now dealt with in Paris altogether separately, by
separate staffs of officers.

The newspaper rates were next revised in 1878. The discrimination
between political and non-political newspapers was abolished, but the
privilege accorded to local newspapers was continued. The new rates
were:--

1. Two centimes for the first 25 grammes and 1 centime for each
further 25 grammes or fraction of 25 grammes for newspapers
published in the departments of Seine and Seine-et-Oise and
circulating outside the department where published; and for
newspapers published in other departments and circulating outside
the department where published and the adjacent departments.

2. One centime for the first 25 grammes and 1/2 centime for each
additional 25 grammes or fraction of 25 grammes for newspapers
published in the departments of Seine or Seine-et-Oise and
circulating within the department where published.

3. One centime for the first 50 grammes and 1/2 centime for each
additional 25 grammes or fraction of 25 grammes for provincial
papers other than those of Seine and Seine-et-Oise, circulating
within the department where published or adjacent departments.

The existing rate for inland newspapers, which is based on the law of
the 16th April 1895, is as follows:--

Two centimes for each copy up to 50 grammes, and 1 centime for each
25 grammes or fraction of 25 grammes above 50 grammes.

Only half these rates is charged when the papers circulate within the
department in which they are published or the adjacent department.

In 1908[370] the rates in respect of n