§ MR. DIXON-HARTLAND (Middlesex, Uxbridge)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he is aware that the postage of letters from France, Germany, and other European Countries to our Colonies is only one-half what it is from this Country; and, whether he will take any steps to draw closer our connection with our Colonies by putting an end to such anomaly?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (Wolverhampton, E.)I am aware that in France, Germany, and a few other foreign countries, a uniform charge of 2½d. is made for all letters addressed to places within the Postal Union; while in this country the charge made for letters to the same places is in some cases 4d. and in others 5d. The rates now in force here are rendered necessary by the fact that the cost of the ocean packet services devolves upon this country. Having regard to the very heavy loss now being sustained by this country with reference to Colonial postage, the Postmaster General is not prepared 1353 to increase that loss at present by reducing the rates.