13
Oriental Steam Navigation Company.
The weekly Service could not be confined to the Straits
Settlements and Hong Kong, but would certainly have to be extended
to other places, such as the Malay States, the Dutch East Indies.
and Siam, which at present receive Parcel Mails from Great Britain
by way of Singapore. Perhaps there might not be any need, at the outset at any rate, to extend the service to China and Japan,
as there is a frequent and expeditious Parcel Post to those countries via North America, in addition to the fortnightly direct Service by
Peninsular and Oriental Steamers; but the North American route is
expensive, and it is not improbable that there might soon be a
general demand for the provision of a weekly service to China and Japan via Suez which could not easily be resisted. In fact, an
enquiry on the subject has recently been received from a commercial
firm which sends goods to the East by Parcel Post.
s.d.
s.d.
Messrs. Holt and Company are willing to convey the mails at rates of 5d., 9d., 1/1 and 1/8 for parcels up to 3 lb., 7 lb., 11 lb.
and 22 lb. in weight respectively. At these rates and on the basis of
existing traffic, a portion of which would be diverted from the
Contract Steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, a weekly
service to the Far East would involve additional expenditure of about
£2,000 or £3,000 a year, according as China and Japan were excluded
or included.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies considers that the
circumstances justify this expenditure in view of the strong desire which exists in the Straits Settlements and in Hong Kong for a weekly
Service. The Postmaster General does not dissent from this view, and
I am to seek Their Lordships' authority for the institution of the
proposed weekly service.
The rates named by the Holt Company are considered reasonable, and are covered by the existing rates of postage.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.)
F. H. Williamson.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.