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at the other Ports with the exception of Ningpo.
3.
With regard to the last sentence in the
penultimate paragraph of Sir E. Satow's despatch of the
28th. February, 1906, I would point out that unless the
Postal Agencies in China are conducted by either Consular
Assistants or Consular Constables within the precincts of
the Consular buildings, the expense to this Government of
paying non-Consular Agents and of renting outside premises
will in the majority of cases exceed the profits derived
from the sale of stamps, and I should not be prepared, as
at present advised, to commit this Colony to an increased
expenditure which would be mainly incurred on behalf of
Imperial interests and of the British merchants trading in
the Treaty Ports.
4.
I shall await the communication from His
Majesty's Minister at Peking referred to in the second
paragraph of Mr. Lucas' letter of the 12th. ultimo but have
thought it advisable in the meantime to state my general
views in this matter.
5.
I enclose for Your Lordship's information &
schedule giving particulars of the British Postal Agents in
China.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
Governor, &c .