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7.
As regards the establishment of British Postal Agencies at Tientsin, Peking and Chefoo, recommended (despatch No.261, paragraph 6) in order that Great Britain may not fall behind other countries which have already established Post Offices at those three ports, I am to say that the Postmaster General has never viewed with favour the extension of the make-shift system under which British Post Offices have been established in foreign countries, Offices of which the existence is always precarious and difficult to reconcile with Postal Union principles.
Whether, in view of the present posture of Chinese affairs, there may be political grounds for adopting Governor Blake's recommendation is not of course a question on which the Postmaster General has to express an opinion.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,