Note 667 — VIII CONCLUSION

The need for such a separation between ordinary letters and packets of appreciable weight is felt even in regard to the letter post itself. In England, the extension of the weight limit for penny letters, and the reduction of the rates for the heavier letters, has led to serious practical difficulties and has impeded smooth and rapid working. In the larger offices the letter post traffic is dealt with in two divisions: (1) the lighter, homogeneous traffic, the light letters and postcards; and (2) the heavier packets, and packets of irregular shape (p. 285). In France, the extension of the maximum limit of weight gave rise to similar difficulties; so much so that the question of establishing a separate slower post for such packets has been seriously considered. In Paris, at the present time, there is a completely separate indoor and outdoor staff for the newspapers and packets.