COPY.
Sir,
IREC
C. O.
45140 | 714
16 DEC 03
Hongkong General Chamber of Colwerde.
hongkong, 7th. November, 1903.
The Honourable
With reference to your letter of the 16th.
ultimo (7971/1903) and Despatches relative to four proposals put
forward by the Feninsuler and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for carrying the Eastern Mail Service until 31st. January,1906, 1 am now in a position to state the opinion of the British Members
of my Committee thereon.
The Committee regret to say that they can
approve of none of the proposals put forward inasmuch as they will not, any of then, make any materisi difference to the length of time now occupied in carrying the rails to and from this Colony and which in their opinion is the chief object for making any change, because as regards regularity of delivery by the Peninsular and Oriental Service there is nothing to complain of.
1 am to add that in view of the accelerated
service via Siberia, which is rapidly being perfected, it would be to the advantage of the Eritish Government to maintain a week- ly mail service between London and hongkong which would ensure delivery within 25 days. This is not an unreasonable request, as the mails have already been delivered in 27 days and on at least one occasion under 25 days. If necessary an extra subsidy out of the Imperisi kunds might be regarded as amply justified in order to obtain this quicker service in view of the extent of Imperial interests and the promotion of Eritish Trade in the Far East. The Eritish Members of this Chamber sincerely trust that
HIS
K. H. May, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
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