§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONasked the Postmaster General whether it is a fact that the rate of postage for letters to New Zealand by sea, per Orient Company, is 4d. per half ounce; and also by sea, but per the New Zealand Company's steamers, is 6d. per ounce; whether it is a fact that the letters are put on board each line of steamers at the same port (Plymouth), and that the letters bearing the 4d. rate often arrive in quicker time than those letters bearing the 6d. postage rate; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of things?
§ *MR. RAIKESThe fourpenny rate recently adopted for letters sent to Australia and New Zealand by the long sea route applies only to such letters as are forwarded by the steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company and of the Orient Company. Without the concurrence of the New Zealand Government, Her Majesty's Government would not be in a position to extend the fourpenny rate to letters forwarded by the New Zealand Company's steamers from Plymouth, and I have been officially informed that the Colonial Government is unable to agree to the reduction of postage without the authority of the Colonial Parliament. Mails by both the Orient and New Zealand Company's steamers are embarked at Plymouth. I have no reason to believe that the fourpenny letters going viâ Adelaide often reach New Zealand before the sixpenny letters going direct, but I have no positive information on the point.