As reported in the Summer Canadian Monarchist News, League and public pressure led Canada Post to change its policy, and to order all its outlets, corporate or franchised, to carry supplies of both definitive-rate postage stamps, the Queen and the Flag.

Attached below, for convenience of readers in clipping, is a copy of the directive, issued on page 3 of the July, 1998 edition (vol. 3, no. 14) of InfoPost, a newsletter for postal outlet administrators.

Readers are invited to clip this Canada Post directive, make copies for friends and family members and then carry it in their purses or wallets. If a Canada Post outlet refuses to fulfill its obligations, please note the exact location, date and time of day and the name (if possible) of the employee involved. Forward this information to The Dominion Chairman ­ and send a letter of complaint to Canada Post, as well, to Micheline Montreuil, Director, Stamp Products, Canada Post Corporation, 2701 Riverside Drive, Suite N0420, Ottawa, ON K1A 0B1.

INITIAL RESPONSE TO PICTURES OF QUEEN IN POST OFFICES

Readers will also recall a further concession from Canada Post, also reported in the Summer CMN: that community pressure would be sufficient to lead individual Postmasters to hang portraits of the Sovereign in Post Offices. Monarchist League members were invited to lead such action in their home areas. The first success of which we have heard comes from Life member and benefactor Daniel McCuan of Almonte, Ontario. Nothing daunted by an initial refusal, Dan persisted in asking that the Queen's portrait be hung ­ and succeeded in obtaining the Postmaster's blessing, Dan even showing this official the screw-holes in the Post Office wall whence it had previously smiled upon the loyal subjects of this Ottawa-area community. As well, we await the outcome of member Freda Dyer's efforts to restore the Sovereign's picture at the Perth-Andover, NB Post office. Please keep CMN advised of attempts and further successes in this important area of maintaining the visible presence of The Crown!

MONARCHISTS REPORT ON AVAILABILITY OF QUEEN STAMP: UPDATE #1

* From Dorothy Brown, Mississauga, ON: "I discovered on inquiring that my pharmacist's PO branch does not have any [Queen] stamps. I'll discuss this fact further with them... and endeavour to encourage them to order same."

* From Joseph Cranswick, Burnaby, BC: "So much for Canada Post's 'new attitude.' After two attempts to buy Queen stamps at Metrotown Mall, I'm convinced they do not carry a supply ­ although they did look through every locked drawer on the premises. 'Sold out,' the clerk finally announced... I was successful at the Middlegate outlet, even though the response was, 'Oh, they're out the back!' The attitude hasn't changed that much." Ed. note: But with persistence and good humour, it may. Always follow up with Canada Post District Office.

* From Derrick Humphreys, West Vancouver, BC: "All West Vancouver Post Offices (Poste Canada & drug stores & Safeways) only keep Queen's head stamps in the bottom drawer and only produce them on demand." Ed. note: an example of the new policy being honoured in a mean-spirited way.

* From David Kemp, Mississauga, ON: "At my Rockwood postal outlet, I went twice in a month. Both times the clerk claimed the Queen's stamps were "just out" and being ordered. I wrote a complaint but have yet to receive an answer."

* From Nancy Tegart, Windermere, BC: "Two of our local Post Offices where I deal did not have Queen stamps ­ said they had sent away for them." Ed. note: a useful way for members to encourage their outlets to do the right thing. Important to follow up on such promises.