202
2.
correspondence; and so long as this difference exists,
there is, of course, little likelihood of any change in
the volume of "local" correspondence posted at the British
Post Office; but, no doubt, the French 6 cent rate will to
some extent divert correspondence for France and Indo-China
from the British to the French Post Office.
In paragraph 3, paragraph 4 and paragraph 5 of the
same despatch the Governor supports a recommendation
emanating from the Hong Kong Post Office for the reduction
of the postage on letters from the British Postal Agencies
in China for the United Kingdom and British Colonies from
10 cents to 5 cents the half-ounce, i.e. to the present
"local" rate. The Postmaster General cannot, of course,
but admit the convenience of assimilating the rates levied
at all British Post Offices in China; but such assimilation,
he may point out, would not be secured by the proposed
5 cent rate. The Hong Kong "Imperial" rate is not 5 but
4 cents the half-ounce, as also is the "Imperial" rate
in contemplation for Wei-hai-Wei, as well as the Chinese
"local" rate. If, then, a uniform rate is to be adopted
at