(V) RATE FOR PRINTED MATTER FOR THE BLIND
The low rate for matter printed in raised type for the use of the blind is a purely philanthropic concession.[526]
In the United Kingdom the rates are:—
| For a packet | not exceeding | 2 | ounces | in weight | ½d. | |
| " | exceeding | 2 | ounces | and not exceeding | 5 lb. | 1d. |
| " | " | 5 | lb. | " | 6 lb | 2d. |
It will be noted that the initial penny rate is maintained (the 2 ounces for ½d. being merely the ordinary printed matter rate), but a comparison with the ordinary parcel post rates (see Chapter III) will show that if, as there is reason to believe, those rates are unremunerative, the rates for literature for the blind must involve a heavy loss on each packet. The number of packets is, however, only some 300,000 per annum.
Similar low rates are in operation in other countries. In the United States packets containing matter of this kind are carried free.