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435
Her Majesty's Mails
·
William Lewins
158
On
all
the
other
parts
of
the
scheme,
and
on
the
scheme
itself
as
a
whole,
the
Committee
spoke
no
less
decisively.
Generally
and
briefly,
they
considered
that
Mr.
Hill's
strange
and
startling
facts
had
been
brought
out
in
evidence.
They
gave
their
opinion
that
the
rates
of
postage
were
so
high
as
materially
to
interfere
with
and
prejudice
trade
and
commerce;
that
the
trading
and
commercial
classes
had
sought,
and
successfully,
illicit
means
of
evading
the
payment
of
these
heavy
charges,
and
that
all
classes,
for
the
self-same
reason,
corresponded
free
of
postage
when
possible;
that
the
rate
of
postage
exceeded
the
cost
of
the
business
in
a
manifold
proportion;
and
that,
altogether,
the
existing
state
of
things
acted
most
prejudicially
to
commerce
and
to
the
social
habits
and
moral
condition
of
the
people.
They
conclude,
therefore,--
1.
That
the
only
remedy
is
a
reduction
of
the
rates,
the
more
frequent
despatch
of
letters,
and
additional
deliveries.
2.
That
the
extension
of
railways
makes
these
changes
urgently
necessary.
3.
That
a
moderate
reduction
in
the
rates
would
occasion
loss,
without
diminishing
the
peculiar
evils
of
the
present
state
of
things,
or
giving
rise
to
much
increased
correspondence,
and,
4.
That
the
principle
of
a
low,
uniform
rate,
is
just
in
itself,
and
when
combined
with
prepayment
and
collection
by
stamp,
would
be
exceedingly
convenient
and
highly
satisfactory
to
the
public.
So
far,
their
finding,
point
by
point,
was
in
favour
of
Mr.
Hill's
scheme.
They
reported
further
that,
in
their
opinion,
the
establishment
of
a
penny
rate
would
not,
after
a
temporary
depression,
result
in
any
ultimate
loss
to
the
revenue.
As,
however,
the
terms
of
their
appointment
precluded
them
from
recommending
any
plan
which
involved
an
immediate
loss,
they
restricted
themselves
to
suggesting
an
uniform
twopenny
rate.
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