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is estimated at $12,536 per annum and the revenue at $5,096
showing a loss of $7,440 which is increased by the Military
Contribution to $8,459. The Tientsin Chamber of Commerce
has undertaken during the coming year to meet the deficit
less the Military Contribution.
4.
One reason for the increased amount
of transit charges, is the increasing use of the Siberian
route for the transmission of mails from Shanghai and the
other Treaty Ports in North China to the United Kingdom.
The transit rates for the Siberian Railway are 15 francs a
kilogramme, while the rate of postage is the Imperial rate
of one penny (4 cents) for 20 grammes. I submit for Your
Lordship's approval that for this route the Union rate of
postage (10 cents for 20 grammes) be charged for articles
posted at Treaty Ports in China instead of the Imperial
penny rate. This rate being the same as that charged by
other Foreign Post Offices in China.
5.
On referring to correspondence of old
date on this subject I observe that in the year 1868 when
it was decided that the Colony should undertake these
Agencies His Majesty's Postmaster General stated that it
would be unfair to throw upon the Colony the cost of their
maintenance in the event of the expenses exceeding the
Revenue
L.S.