postcards;

(5) That there is a profit on the halfpenny packets;

(6) That there is a heavy loss on the newspaper packets, averaging
nearly 1/2d. per packet;

(7) That as regards packets other than parcels, the principle of
uniformity of rate, irrespective of distance, is well founded. The
cost of conveyance (.07d. per packet) is still, in the phrase of
Sir Rowland Hill, "not expressible in the smallest coin";

(8) That as regards the cost of conveyance there is no case for a
reduced rate of postage for local letters;

(9) That as between local letters and other letters there is
appreciable difference in the cost of handling, but this difference
would not be sufficient to justify a discrimination measurable in
coin;

(10) That the parcel post is conducted at considerable loss. If the
cost be taken, as shown in Table L, at 7.091d. per parcel, the loss
is on the average almost 2-1/4d. per parcel, or nearly [L]1,250,000
on the total number of parcels dealt with in 1913-14. The matter
is, however, complicated by the question whether a strictly
mathematical proportion of the total expenses of the Post Office
can fairly be charged against the parcel post.[625]

TABLE A

TOTAL NUMBERS DEALT WITH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1913-14.

+-------------------+----------------------+
| Letters | 3,488,800,000[626] |
| Postcards | 924,250,000[627] |
| Halfpenny Packets | 1,211,400,000[628] |
| Newspaper Packets | 207,100,000 |
| Parcels | 133,663,000[629] |
+-------------------+----------------------+
| Total | 5,965,213,000 |
+-------------------+----------------------+

* * * * *

TABLE B

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE IN THE YEAR 1913-14 IN CONNECTION WITH THE
POSTAL SERVICES, INCLUDING MONEY ORDER AND POSTAL ORDER BUSINESS, BUT
EXCLUDING POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK AND GOVERNMENT ANNUITY BUSINESS.

[L]
(a) Salaries, Wages and Allowances 10,538,318
(b) Rent, Rates, Office Fittings, Water, Light and Heating 268,981
(c) Conveyance of Mails (excluding Payments to Foreign and
Colonial Administrations):--
[L] [L] [L]
By Rail--