The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-14 00:00:00

A POSTAL REFORM WANTED.

Notwithstanding the many changes for the better
which have been made in our postal system, there
still remains a good deal to do in the way of reform.
The residents in Jamaica have lately memorialised
the home authorities respecting the reduction of the
rate of postage to the West Indies, and they have
certainly some ground for their discontent. While
a letter can be sent to the United States
for 3d., to Australia for 6d., and to India
for 9d., it is inconsistent, as well as oppressive,
to charge one shilling for each letter carried to or
from the West Indies. It is perhaps no recommenda-
tion now-a-days to urge on behalf of the memorialists
that they represent an English colony, for our
authorities seem to think our fellow subjects deserve
no favour at their hands, but it must be at least ac-
knowledged that wherever there exists an English
speaking community there is likely to be a great de-
mand for English news. Why not, then,
meet it half-way by lightening what is called,
not unreasonably, the " prohibitory duty?"
When will our rulers fully appreciate the fact
which the experience of this generation alone
abundantly confirms, that the lighter the burdens on
any branch of industry the more profitable it is to
the State at large. In proof of this we may instance
the statement of a "London Printer," who has brought
one or two startling facts connected with his trade
under public notice. He has received a circular from
a well-known firm of coal merchants, printed in
Ghent, and delivered in London, bearing a Belgian
postage stamp worth One halfpenny. Thanks to the
high rate of postage hitherto maintained in England,
for newspapers, circulars, &c., and to the cost of
printing in this country, English merchants have
found it worth their while to send their prospectuses
abroad to get printed and have them posted back

again.

PEOPLE'S TURKISH BATH AT CORK.

The committee of the People's Turkish Bath at
Cork have issued their annual report, which is a very
favourable one. There is an increase of nearly 60
per cent. on any previous year, an improvement which
is attributed to the increased appreciation of the
bath as a sanitary means. The bath is not self-
supporting, although the attendance is a large one,
for the charges are very low, and a number of baths
are given gratis to the sick and unemployed, and
also to young children. The Working of the
Turkish Bath has proved so successful that
doubts can no longer be entertained as to
its adaptability to the wants of the working-classes,
and it is considered desirable it should be extended
to every town and hamlet in the kingdom. The
committee are anxious to reserve the small fund
they have in hand for repairs and improvements, and
they hope the citizens of Cork will not think them
unreasonable if they ask them, at the end of seven
years, working of the great institution, to recognise
and support it as one of the charities of the city.
The best way to raise funds to keep up a charity is
by subscription, and if this appeal be generally
responded to, the demand on individuals will not be
heavy, while the preservation of the health of the city
should furnish them with a powerful incentive for
exertion,