CO129-303 - Public Offices & Others - 1900 — Page 398

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any officers sent by it for the purpose in question. The

Postmaster General would find it difficult to approach the two

Administrations on any other terms.

He feels, moreover, that such a favour could not reasonably

be expected except on a basis of reciprocity; and he thinks

Mr. Secretary Chamberlain would probably agree with him in

thinking that there would be strong objections to any arrange-

ment for allowing foreign postal officials to deal with mails

on board British Packets.

I am to add that in the case of the French Packets the

question of making some arrangement on behalf of the Hong-Kong

Post Office for the sorting of correspondence was broached to

the French Administration in general terms about a year ago at

the request of Commander Hastings. The reply received on that

occasion was to the effect that there were difficulties in the

way which could not be overcome; and the Postmaster General

has no reason to suppose that these difficulties no longer exist.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

H.Bux on Forman