Hon. W. M. Hamilton (Postmaster General):

Mr. Speaker, in the course of a year I must receive several hundred representations with regard to post office establishments. If each hon. member displayed the lack of consideration just displayed and raised the matter in the house, we would never get any business done at all. If the hon. member wishes to write me about the matter or put a question on the order paper, I shall be glad to look into it.

Mr. Hamilton (Notre Dame de Grace):

(a) Since the reciprocal postal rate for publishers in Canada and the United States was placed in effect on July 1, 1961, an additional 11 United States publications, which were formerly posted in the United States, are now being forwarded by the publishers to Canada, in bulk, for mailing in Canada to Canadian subscribers.

(to) The present indications are that as a result of an increase in the number of United States publications being mailed in Canada, and an increase in the "mailing in Canada" rate of postage, which was placed in effect on August 1, 1961, the Canada post office will receive an estimated one and three quarter million dollars additional revenue per annum from the publishers of foreign newspapers and periodicals mailed in this country.

Mr. Hamilton (Notre Dame de Grace):

1. Mr. G. G. Blackburn, director, information branch, Department of Labour, first suggested the use of the slogan during discussions in June, 1956, with officials of the public relations division, Post Office Department.

2. Final wording of the slogan for use in postal cancelling dies was confirmed to the superintendent, public relations division, on July 4, 1956, and accepted immediately; use of the dies to commence on January 15, 1957.

3. The third part of the question is answered in the second section of the answer.

Hon. W. M. Hamilton (Postmaster General):

Mr. Speaker, we probably have within the confines of the department some people who are aware of the political facts of life in this country, and who feel there is so little difference between the two groups that it does not matter where their mail goes. However, I appreciate the desire of some people in this house to preserve the existing fiction. We certainly should deliver mail in the way in which it is addressed, and will be glad to see that this is done.

Hon. W. M. Hamilton (Postmaster General):

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the hon. member for his expression of good wishes, which I appreciate very much indeed. I presume my very existence proves that there is something that sometimes comes from playing post office.

The postmaster general of the United States, Mr. J. Edward Day, and I had a most successful meeting earlier this week. There was an exchange of ideas, and I believe some constructive suggestions emerged. Several of the projects now under way in Canada which we were able to show him seemed to create interest, and the possibility may be explored of their being adapted for use in the United States. We also obtained from our friends in the United States some helpful suggestions which may have application here. I do not think it is necessary to go beyond that at this time.