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Hong Kong and Wei-hai-wei are concerned), and the 24d. rate substituted. I am to enclose an extract embodying the views of the Postmaster General on this point, from which the Secretary of State will see that Mr. Buxton has no objection in principle to the raising of the 1d. rate, which was adopted by the Colony contrary to the intention of the Postmaster General, and does not, so far as My Lords are aware, obtain in the case of any other British Agencies on foreign soil. Their Lordships think however that, before such a proposal is entertained, it is desirable that the Foreign Office should be consulted.
At the same time My Lords do not gather that it is, as yet, certain that any deficit will be realised on the working of the Agencies as a whole, as anticipated by the Governor of Hong Kong; and They suggest that the matter might stand over for the present until the actual results of a year's working on the new weights &c. are known. If at the end of that period a deficit actually occurs, Their Lordships would be willing to consider further the question of the terms on which the Agencies are conducted; but They would require to have
(a) returns of revenue and expenditure for each Agency separately;
(b) a separate statement showing the portion of postal business, and its cost, exchanged between each Agency and Hong Kong itself. It is not clear to My Lords that the Colony has no interest in maintaining the Agencies, or some of them at least, even at a loss.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. M'Hanay
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Hong Kong and Wei-hai-wei are concerned), and the 24d. rate substituted. I am to enclose an extract embodying the views of the Postmaster General on this point, from which the Secretary of State will see that Mr. Buxton has no objection in principle to the raising of the ld. rate, which was adopted by the Colony contrary to the intention of the Postmaster General, and does not, so far as My Lords are aware, obtain in the case of any other British Agencies on foreign soil. Their Lordships think however that, before such a proposal is entertained, it is desirable that the Foreign Office should be consulted.
At the same time My Lords do not gather that it ia, as yet, certain that any deficit will be realised on the working of the Agencies as a whole, as anticipated by the Governor of Hong Kong; and They suggest that the matter might stand over for the present until the actual results of a year's working on the new weights &c. are known. If at the end of that period a deficit actually occurs, Their Lordships would be willing to consider further the question of the terms on which the Agencies are conducted; but They would require to have
(a) returns of revenue and expenditure for each Agency separately;
(b) a separate statement showing the portion of postal business, and its cost, exchanged between each Agency and Hong Kong itself. It is not clear to My Lords that the Colony has no interest in maintaining the Agencies, or some of them at least, even at a loss.
I am,
sir,
'Your obedient Servant,
J.Mhanay
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