§ MR. JOHN TALBOT (University of Oxford)asked the Postmaster General whether there is any reason for a charge of 5d. per half-ounce being imposed upon letters from England to Zanzibar, whilst letters from Zanzibar to England are only charged half that rate; and whether the inequality can be redressed?
§ * MR. RAIKESLetters posted at the Indian Postal Agency at Zanzibar are charged 4½ annas per half-ounce, which is about the equivalent of the 5d. charged in this country on letters sent to Zanzibar. The French Post Office has recently set up an agency at Zanzibar, and I believe that, in accordance with French practice in other parts of the world, the initial Postal Union rate of 25 centimes the 15 grammes (about 2½d. the halfounce) is accepted in prepayment of postage on such letters as may be posted at the French Agency. So far as the mails are conveyed by British packet, the French Post Office incurs no loss, as the postage more than covers the payment made by them to us for sea conveyance under the Postal Union regulations. As to the French mail lines, they are maintained more for political than for postal purposes, and the loss on the mails is apparently disregarded.