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34.6 METHODS OF SOCIAL REFORM.
instsad of rdmnye or other features. Upon the face of
this map 8hould be printed light-colonred concentric distance
circles, with their centre upon any town or village for which
tho map was to indicate the tariff. All places within any
one Bone wodd have the same tariff as regards the central
place; and it is possible that the tariff for the zone might
be printed in colours actually within the space to which it
npplies. Such maps could be produced for every town and
village in tho country wit.hout extra cost; because, with a
properly invented press, the colour stono or block could
bo shifted BO as to priut its cantre over any spot., and the
rcquired number of copies mould be printed off for the
servjce of that particular place before shifting the circles
for tho next place.
In tho establishment of a State parcel post a multitude
of details mould of courso have to be considered, for the
discussion of which there iu no space and no need here. For
instance, would the pnrcclv Le all registered and delivered
only for receipts? I am inclined to think that this would bo
indispensable to prevent pilfering; but it is probrtble that
tho labour might be greatly facilitated by the use of some
kind of numbered stamp, with perforated coupons. One
part of the ticket being affixed to the parcel, serving also
perhaps as an address labcl, the counterfoils might be used
as receipts, or filed to save the trouble of booking. I have
often amused myself with planning the details of such a
scheme of ticket registration, to replace the cumbrous method
of books and waybills; but it mould be needless to suggest
details hero. I am sure that some such system will one day
be adopted, and become as important and morld-wide as the
1180 of stamps and railway tickets. In some parts of Scotland
it is already the pract'ice to have duplicate penny and halfpenny
labels, one of which is pasted on any parcel sent to
the left luggago office of any railway terminus, while the
counterfoil is retained by the owner; thus when leaving
town in the evening by train he can identify his parcel.
The nee of stamps on newspaper parcels is now qaite general,
and at least one company, the Bristol and Exeter, extended