(_A DIALOGUE STRICTLY ACCORDING TO PRECEDENT._)
_General Public_. I am sorry to say the condition of the Postal
Service is really extremely defective. The delay in the delivery of
letters is most annoying. Frequently a note which should be received
in the evening is not obtained until the following morning--proof of
this being given by the post-marks.
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_General Post Office_. Your complaint shall receive consideration.
_G.P._ You are most kind. Next, a telegram despatched from one part
of London to another part, sometimes takes eight hours, and the reason
given is that the counter-clerk has a discretionary power to retain
telegrams until he has what he considers a sufficient supply for the
messenger to take out for delivery. This naturally causes much delay
and consequent inconvenience.
_G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration.
_G.P._ You are too good. Next, the carelessness at Branch Offices
is extremely irritating. For instance, it is often the case that the
words of telegrams have been altered and changed during transmission.
It is unnecessary to point out that such mistakes are liable to create
annoyance, not to say disaster.
_G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration.
_G.P._ Very many thanks. Then, at offices where females are engaged,
rudeness is very common. Would-be purchasers of postage-stamps are
frequently kept waiting while the clerks chatter to one another about
matters entirely unconnected with the Department. And this habit is
gaining ground in those offices in which male labour is only employed,
especially in the immediate neighbourhood of St. Martin's-le-Grand
itself. It is useless to call attention to this practice, as a simple
denial from an official implicated is accepted by the authorities as
proof (almost) positive of his or her innocence.
_G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration.
_G.P._ Again, thanks for your courtesy. But about these and many other
grievances, the same stereotyped answer has invariably been received.
_G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration.
_G.P._ Exactly! That is the very answer. And it is felt that no other
outcome will result from agitation. It seems utterly impossible to
make the officials in charge realise their responsibility to the
taxpayers.
_G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration.
_G.P._ Of course; the same parrot-cry! And it may be for years, and
it be for ever, before reform is introduced. The probability is, that
the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs may exist at St.
Martin's-le-Grand until the hour of doom.
_G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration.
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