No.281.
12/6/31 (undated)
Heures / 4-5
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
Sir,
Government House,
Hongkong, 18th July, 1901.
I have the honour to inform you that the Acting Postmaster General has been notified by the French Postal Authorities at Hanoi that a French Post Office was opened at Canton on the 15th ultimo.
2. I enclose a copy of the circular and of the notice of the postal charges issued by the French Consul at Canton, from which you will observe that the only difference between the French and British rates is that the French Post Office accepts letters for France at 6 cents per 1/2 oz., whereas at the British Agency such letters are posted at 10 cents per 1/2 oz.
3. At the time the 4 cents postal rate was adopted between the United Kingdom and Hongkong, a strong expression of feeling was placed on record by the British residents at Canton that such rate should apply equally to postage between the United Kingdom and Canton. As, however, Canton was not a British Colony, the request could not be entertained at the time: but the Acting Postmaster General, Mr. Lewis, is now of opinion that, as the present rate adopted by France will place the British Agency at a disadvantage, it is advisable to reconsider the whole question.
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.
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