the Sec: of the Treasury.
.s.18/3.
Johnson
12/3/0
70. 13/02
(draft hermith)
.HONG KONG GCV:/10711.
Immediate.
March 1902.
205
Sir,
With reference to the letter from this dept: No LA the 14th instant, I am directed by Mr Sec: Cham: to transmit to you to be laid before the L.C. of the Treasury a copy of the despatch from the O.A.G. of Hong Kong, on the subject of the extension of the Penny Postage system to the British Postal Agencies in China which was referred to in his telegram of the 11th instant.
2. In the circumstances, Mr Chamberlain is disposed to consider that it would be best to allow the 4 cents rate to remain in force,
"dis approval of this change."
draft 82F.
and he would be glad to learn whether their Lordships are prepared to agree to this proposal and will consent to a corresponding reduction of the postage rates on letters sent from this country to the Agencies. He proposes, however, to express W. J. Gassigne's precipitate action in introducing
3. Mr Chamberlain has not yet received the Govt: Gazette containing the Notification to which the Ag Gov: refers,
CR
but he presumes