REGISTERED NO.
339
GENERAL POST OFFICE
HONG-KONG, 28th November, 1901.
Sir,
In continuation of my letter No. 453 dated the 9th October, 1901, I have the honour to enclose copy of a report from the Acting Postmaster at Shanghai.
2. It is now over a year since my predecessor by letter No. 818 dated the 11th October 1900 reported the under selling of Union stamps by these offices, and I would respectfully ask that the International Bureau at Berne be formally requested to take action on the lines suggested by Mr Dixon when the International stamps at Levantine ports were required to be surcharged in Turkish currency. In this case, in Mexican cents currency.
3. In Shanghai the subsidiary coinage issued by the mint has been so debased that the coins are at a discount. In the Imperial Chinese Post Office at Shanghai to purchase a Chinese 10 cent stamp you have to pay 11 cents, nevertheless Union stamps can be purchased in the French and German Post Offices for 8 cents each that cost 10 cents at the British Post Office, but will frank a half ounce letter as far.
4. Apart from the question of base coins these offices are now, and have been for more than a year past, selling Union stamps at 20% under face value despite the indignant denials of both Berlin and Paris some 15 months ago. I have the honour therefore formally to request that this continued and persistent breach of the Convention may be officially brought to the notice of the International Bureau at Berne for action.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed)
WM C. H. Johnston,
Postmaster General.
Secretary,
General Post Office,
London.