It is difficult to argue with a party who will not or cannot be convinced, for the usual result is no more than @ mixture of bad temper with a seasoning of pity for those who cannot see the folly of their ways. It seems impossible to convince the Chinese Telegraphs and Post Office of the fact that, by establishing exportionate increases in their rates, they actually lose more through people economizing on their services than they gain from the receipt of additional fees from those who are compelled, as we all are, to usage of the services to some extent. It was pointed out on Tuesday that the loss sustained during the first 15 days of the operation of the new charges was reliably estimated at $4,000,000. Scme may think that is just the experience of China alone and will soon wear off, but read of Mr. W. H. Burchell, organizing secretary of the Association of Master Printers in the London Central districts, who, in a letter to the Press, urged the reversion to pre-war postal rates. He stated that the wisdom of the last reductions in postal charges was manifested by the revenue returns from April 1 to September 3, which show an increase in postal revenue of £4,050,000 over the corresponding period last year. A promise was iven, Mr. Burchell continues, by r. Kellaway that further reductions would be made if increased revenue and economies at the Post Ellice justified it. Can China do what Britain cannot? Britain reduces charges to increase revenue and proves the wisdom thereof: China fails in trying to prove the greater wisdom of the reverse.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.