(9. Local statistics, for the purpose of framing the tabular information required by the International Bureau, were taken during 28 days of last November). A table is appended comparing their results with those obtained in the same way in 1879. The statistician must indeed have the courage of his convictions who attempts to depend on figures obtained in this way. It is like estimating what a man will eat in a year from what he consumes at one chance meal. The result might do very well to print in a Blue Book, but nobody would use it as a basis on which to victual a ship. A glance at Table C appended to this Report, under the head of Books, &c., will shew that the increase in 1880 purports to be more than the whole number forwarded in 1879! Such a result is not in the least consonant with reality, the fact being that, as far as can be judged from ordinary observation, there has been very little increase, if any at all.
10. The Money Order system with some of the Australasian Colonies, commenced last year, has been availed of by Chinese resident in Queensland and New South Wales to an extent which was hardly expected at first. Indeed, as far as this Office is concerned, the system may almost be said to have been too successful, for it nearly monopolises the time of a clerk and a shroff, who have had to be detached from other duties. Chinese cannot be dealt with so quickly in Money Order matters as Europeans. An Englishman who has an Order to cash takes the money given to him and goes away. With a Chinese, the vexed question, What is a pound? assumes a knotty and complicated aspect. To his mind a sovereign represents the highest price he could get for it after a morning spent in haggling at the gold-shops. This Office has generally to offer him a few cents less. Even when the rate of exchange is settled, the difficulties are not ended. At 3/73d., for instance, a sovereign may be represented by either $5.49 or $5.48. To pay the former sum involves a trifling loss; to pay the latter secures a trifling profit. Nobody but a Chinese would go into the fractions of a cent, but the Chinaman not only does so, but even considers himself defrauded of them. It should be said, however, that the Chinese here are learning, as they learn everything, that the Post Office will not chaffer with them, and this does not appear to affect the popularity of the Money Order system.
11. The Money Order system of the London Post Office is naturally looked upon as a model for British Colonies. It is an excellent system, but somewhat complicated and elaborate; not more so, perhaps, than is necessary where the orders are numerous, and the amounts forwarded in either direction very far from being equal. It is certain, however, that a small Money Order system can be effectively carried on between two Colonies, and be a great convenience to either, without the lists, duplicate lists, percentage on commission, and other formalities required under the London rules. Such is the simplified system of this Office with Yokohama, with Shanghai, and with the Straits Settlements. An advice is forwarded for each order issued, and accounts are periodically compared, the balance due being forwarded to whichever office is entitled to it. Each office keeps the commission it collects; and all the forms used are simplified as far as possible. There would be but few obstacles to a general Inter-Colonial Money Order system on this easy plan, but if the London details be insisted on (and some Colonies insist on them) the amount of writing and of labour involved becomes prohibitive.
12. Communications were addressed to all the Australasian Colonies requesting their co-operation in the establishment of an Inter-colonial Parcel Post, such as is worked between this Colony and the Straits Settlements without any resultant inconvenience. They have all declined, and all, or nearly all, on the same ground—Customs difficulties. As the subject is still, however, to be discussed at the Australasian conference mentioned above, and has also been under consideration in Europe, it may, perhaps, be permissible to devote a few words to it. The subject of parcel post is interesting to most residents in China, because there are so many little objects of Chinese or Japanese manufacture which such persons naturally wish to send to their friends elsewhere. A preliminary objection as to the supposed invasion of the carrying business of Steamer Companies may be first disposed of. If the public were to be allowed to send carpets, overcoats, &c., through the post (as was once the case when the sample post to England was somewhat abused), whether under the title of Parcels, or of Samples, the carrying companies might fairly object, as, in the instance in question, they did. But if the parcel post be strictly confined to small things (menus objets) as is proposed, then the parcels to be carried become precisely those of which Steamer Companies had rather be rid than otherwise.
13. To be at once effective, popular, and successful, a Parcel Post scheme requires three conditions:
(1.) Freedom from any further formalities as to declaration of contents than may be necessary to prevent the transmission of liquids, explosives, &c.
(2.) One moderate prepayment to ensure free delivery at the door of the addressee.
(3.) Absolute freedom from Customs duties or interference.
14. In the case of the existing Indian Parcel Post, the sender has to fill up a declaration of contents, sometimes required in triplicate, sometimes also in French. He has to enclose his parcel in an outer cover to the nearest chief Post Office. If sending to the United Kingdom, he cannot prepay further than London, and it is matter of frequent remark that it costs more to get a parcel from London to the country than it has cost to get it from Calcutta to London. Moreover, the Addressee will have to pay the Customs duty, if any.
15. If the Postal Union system has proved anything, it has proved that to effect Postal Reforms on a large and liberal scale, Governments must be prepared to give up haggling about small sums,
(9. Local statistics, for the purpose of framing the tabular information required by the International Bureau, were taken during 28 days of last November). A table is appended comparing their results with those obtained in the same way in 1879. The statistician must indeed have the courage of his convictions who attempts to depend on figures obtained in this way. It is like estimating what a man will eat in a year from what he consumes at one chance meal. The result might do very well to print in a Blue Book, but nobody would use it as a basis on which to victual a ship. A glance at Table C appended to this Report, under the head of Books, &c., will shew that the increase in 1880 purports to be more than the whole number forwarded in 1879! Such a result is not in the least consonant with reality, the fact being that, as far as can be judged from ordinary observation, there has been very little increase, if any at all.
10. The Money Order system with some of the Australasian Colonies, commenced last year, has been availed of by Chinese resident in Queensland and New South Wales to an extent which was hardly expected at first. Indeed, as far as this Office is concerned, the system may almost be said to have been too successful, for it nearly monopolises the time of a clerk and a shroff, who have had to be detached from other duties. Chinese cannot be dealt with so quickly in Money Order matters as Europeans. An Englishman who has an Order to cash takes the money given to him and goes away.. With a Chinese, the vexed question, What is a pound? assumes a knotty and complicated aspect. To his mind a sovereign represents the highest price he could get for it after a morning spent in haggling at the gold-shops. This Office has generally to offer him a few cents less. Even when the rate of exchange is settled, the difficulties are not ended. At 3/73d., for instance, a sovereign may be represented by either $5.49 or $5.48. To pay the former sum involves a trifling loss; to pay the latter secures a trifling profit. Nobody but a Chinese would go into the fractions of a cent, but the China- man not only does so. but even considers himself defranded of them. It should be said, however, that the Chinese here are learning, as they learn everything, that the Post Office will not chaffer with them, and this does not appear to affect the popularity of the Money Order system.
·
11. The Money Order system of the London Post Office is naturally looked upon as a model for British Colonies. It is an excellent system, but somewhat complicated and elaborate; not more so, perhaps, than is necessary where the orders are numerous, and the amounts forwarded in either direction very far from being equal. It is certain, however, that a small Money Order system can be effectively carried on between two Colonics, and be a great convenience to either, without the lists, duplicate lists, percentage on commission, and other formalities required under the London rules. Such is the sim plified system of this Office with Yokohama, with Shanghai, and with the Straits Settlements. An advice is forwarded for each order issued, and accounts are periodically compared, the balance due being forwarded to whichever office is entitled to it. Each office keeps the commission it collects; and all the forms used are simplified as far as possible. There would be but few obstacles to a general Inter-Colonial Money Order system on this easy plan, but if the London details be insisted on (and some Colonies insist on them) the amount of writing and of labour involved becomes prohibitive.
12. Communications were addressed to all the Australasian Colonies requesting their co-operation in
in the establishment of an Inter-colonial Parcel Post, such as is worked between this Colony and the Straits Settlements without any resultant inconvenience. They have all declined, and all, or nearly all, on the same ground-Customs difficulties. As the subject is still, however, to be discussed at the Australasian conference mentioned above, and has also been under consideration in Europe, it may, per- haps, be permissible to devote a few words to it. The subject of parcel post is interesting to most resi deuts in China, because there are so many little objects of Chinese or Japanese manufacture which such persons naturally wish to send to their friends elsewhere. A preliminary objection as to the supposed invasion of the carrying business of Steamer Companies may be first disposed of. If the public were to be allowed to send carpets, overcoats, &c., through the post (as was once the case when the sample post to England was somewhat abused), whether under the title of Parcels, or of Samples, the carrying companies might fairly object, as, in the instance in question, they did. But if the parcel post be strictly confined to small things (menus objets) as is proposed, then the parcels to be carried become precisely those of which Steamer Companies had rather be rid than otherwise.
13. To be at once effective, popular, and successful, a Parcel Post scheme requires three conditions:
(1.) Freedom from any further formalities as to declaration of contents than may be neces-
sary to prevent the transmission of liquids, explosives, &c.
(2.) One moderate prepayment to ensure free delivery at the door of the addressee. (3.) Absolute freedom from Customs duties or interference.
14. In the case of the existing Indian Parcel Post, the sender has to fill up a declaration of con- tents, sometimes required in triplicate, sometimes also in French. He has to enclose his parcel in an. outer cover to the nearest chief Post Office. If sending to the United Kingdom, he cannot prepay further than London, and it is matter of frequent remark that it costs more to get a parcel from London to the country than it has cost to get it from Calcutta to London. Moreover, the Addressee will have to pay the Customs duty, if any.
15. If the Postal Union system has proved anything, it has proved that to effect Postal Reforms on a large and liberal scale, Governments must be prepared to give up haggling about small sums,
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