}
(
5
intermediate Offices for the exchange of correspondence between
147
China and Postal Union countries. From time to time various
steps have been taken towards the conclusion of a Postal
Convention between the Imperial Chinese Post Office and the
Post Office of Hong Kong; but up to the present time no agree-
ment has been arrived at. Under Postal Union regulations Hong
Kong would have to act as the Office of entry in the Union of
correspondence forwarded by the Chinese Post Office, and, so
far as correspondence sent unenclosed for incorporation in its
own mails is concerned, would be accountable to other
Administrations of the Postal Union (including this Office)
for the sea and land transit payments. It is therefore,
essential before any agreement with Sir Robert Hart is possible
that the Chinese and the Hong Kong Post Offices should settle the
conditions under which Hong Kong can receive the correspondence
prepaid in Chinese stamps, mix it with its own, and forward it to
destination. For the correspondence despatched by the Chinese
Post Office in closed mails the intermediary service of Hong
Kong would also be needed to a limited extent.
With respect to the concessions for which Sir Robert Hart
asks, it may perhaps be presumed that the condition that the
British Agencies shall not do business inland does not
extend to the exchange of correspondence by sea between the
Treaty Ports. If it does, the Hong Kong revenue might be
adversely affected.
The second condition, providing for closing or retaining
British agencies in China, as the case may be, makes no
provision for opening new agencies. Not long ago, however,
Sir E. Satow was disposed to recommend the opening of a new
agency at Tientsin; and, as is announced in the Colonial
Office letter now under reply, the Secretary of State is
about to authorize a new agency at Chefoo. In this
connexion I am to forward a copy of a letter which has been
received from the Acting Postmaster General of Hong Kong, and
to ask if the Secretary of State desires it to be acted
upon.
Perhaps the Secretary of State might think it worth while
to ascertain whether Sir Robert Hart's proposals would remain
With
open
5.