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understood that the British Agencies are not to be ignored. Mail matter is not to be forwarded to special points passing the nearest British Agency with the object of establishing a claim to reductions by evading the condition precedent, "the same line of packets". The British do practically all the mail carrying for China, except the Japanese in the North. The threat, therefore, "to seek more favourable terms by other Administrations" is puerile. Even if it were carried out, the British Postal Revenue would be exactly where it was. It is not a case for coercing the Colony successfully.
That China should be anxious to enter into partial union is but natural. At present, her postal system, other than domestic, must be a source of heavy loss to her. With the exception of Hong Kong, no administration recognizes her stamps. A letter to America or Australia must have an American or British or other Union 10 cents stamp on it, beside the Chinese 10 cents stamp, to carry it out of the country. China has to pay 10 cents for each Union stamp, so she has carried it, if at all, in China for nothing.
If we entered into partial union with China, our sale of stamps would fall off heavily, whilst therefore assisting China and salving her amour propre, "it is necessary to guard against loss to the Colony". That China will fully enter the Union whilst the