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354 METHODS Oie- SOCLAL REFORM.
It is evident that the analogy between the parcel and the
letter post breaks down altogether. Even for a 1 lb. parcel
the effect of distanco is appreciable; for a 10 lb. parcel it
could not bs overlooked; for a 100 lb. parcel it would constitute
almost tho whole of the charge. Wo are thus reduced
to three alternatives in caae of adopting a uniform charge.
Either (1) we must restrict tho weight of parcels, so as to
make the parcel post hardly more useful for sending goods
than the present letter post; or @) we must impose so high a
charge as would bo intolerably oppressive as regards small
distances; or (3) mo must imposo so low a charge that the
ordinary goodv charges of the railway companies for long
distances would be underbid by tho parcel post. The result
of tho third alternutivo would evidently le that all goods
would, as far as possible, be broken down into parcels, and
transrnittod at the cost of tho State. This result would be
quite intolerable,
All thcsc alternatives, then, being inadmissible, it follows
that a tariff irrespective of distance is impracticable, aud we
must rovcrt to tt mileugo rate. Tl~o charge should consist of
two components : (1) a fixed terminal charge of, say, Zd., to
cover tho costs of booking, delivery, etc. ; (2) a mileage charge
determiuod by tllc colnpound proportion of weight and distance.
A very important point., however, mould consist in fixing
rightly the minimum charge for very light parcels. Now,
parcel companies hnvo tecn started t,o work at a minimum
of Id. ; :it one time there was a Penny Parcel Company in
I~ondo11, nnd similar companies have been established in
Glasgow and elsewhere. I learn that the Glasgow Tramway
Company now convey aud deliver newspaper parcels up to
3 lbs. weight for Id. each, but other parcels up to 7 lbs. are
charged 2d. as a minimum. I do not happen to know of the
present existence of eny company working with common
parcels SO lorn as ld. even for short distances. But even if
BO low R mte were practicable in particular districts, it could
not possibly be recommended for adoption in a general parcel
system. Tho lowest rate which is practically existent in
England at preseut is 3d. or id., and it would not be wise to