The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-13 00:00:00

770.. VAL REFOR' UNION.

A meeting of the executive of the National Re-
fci.o l'nion was held at the offices of the unior, 12,
Nowall's-buildings, Manchester, on Tuesday, when, in the
absence of Mr. George Wilson, the president, Mr. W.
W ARIA' itroN, was voted to the chair. A voluniinoes cor-
respondence was read, chiefly in reference to the holding
of public meetings, the formation of new branches, and the
enrolling of members. Most encouraging reports were
furnished by the various auxiliaries of the union. Nine
public meetings had been held in the past week, and
seventeen other ineetit,fs werel arranged to be held
during the remainder of the present month. The depu-
tation to the London demonstration received the thanks
of the executive. The business of the ministerial oon-
ference was reported to he in the hands of the sub-com-
mittee. After some conversation relative to the time for
holding the annual meeting. it was decided that it thould
take place some time in January next. In consequence of
the first Tuesday in January falling open New-Year's day,
it was resolved that the next monthly meeting of the exe-
i cutive should be held on the Sth proximo.

REFORM MEETING AT READING.— A public
meeting, under the auspices of the Beading branch of the
Reform League. was held on Tuesday eight in the West-
street Hall, which was nearly filled by working men. Mr.
John Bow, a member of the branch, occupied the chair,
and complained that the principal leaders of the liberal
party in the torough had stood aloof from this movement.
Mr. Baxter Langley was the principal speaker, and Mr.
Alderman Palmer iof the firm of Huntley and Palmeri,
biscuit manufacturers. also addressed the meeting, and in
reply to the chairman's observation he told the working
men that they must not look for patronage in high quar-
ters at present, but work hand in baud, depending upon
their own personal exertions in the cause.
TELEGRAPHIC AN 14 PCNTAL REFORM.—These
questions were discussed at some length at the meeting of
the council of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. The
telegraphic part of the question was introduced by Mr. R.
A. hlacfie, who read communications from the chairman
of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, and also from
the Associated Chinibers of Commerce throughout Eng-
land, the object of which, and also of Mr. Macfie's own
observations, was to show that as Belgium where the re-
duction to a charge of 40. for 20 words had been attended
with the greatest success both in point of custom and
revenue that government in connection with the postal
system (already so widely ramified) could undertake the
control of the telegraphic system with far greater advan-
tage to the public than could be attained under private
companies ; and that under no other system could a
reduction and uniformity of rates be so effectually secured.
Mr. Macfie moved that it be referred to the home trade
committee (of the chamber) to consider the propriety
of asking government to establish in every parish of the
kingdom a telegraphic office, for the conveyance of messages.
Mr. Muspratt seconded this motion, which was adopted.
The chief points of the postal reform question were em-
braced in an elaborate report from the home trade com-
mittee, the adoption of which was moved by Mr. Patterson
(the chairman) and seconded by Mr. Reed. The report
recommended a uniform charge for foreign and colonial
postage of 3d. per half ounce, if paid by stamps, or 6d. if
unpaid ; a charge of one halfpenny per ounce for local
postage when prepaid by stamps ; that book, sample, and
parcel postage& be equalised at a charge of one halfpenny
per two ounces prepaid by stamps ; a uniform charge of
W. for the registration of letters; that inland money orders
be charged ld. per £or part of ; and that colonial and
foreign money orders should be charged double the inland
rates. The motion for the adoption of the report was
usanimocudy carried, it being also arranged that copies of
the report should be circulated amongst the various
chambers of commerce throughout the country.
CRYSTAL PALACE. Oie SHILLING DAY.
WZDIMSDAT, Dec. 12.—Admissions on payment, 1,071 ;
ditto by sown tickets, 1,167. Total visitors, 2438.