§ MR. DIXON-HARTLAND (Middlesex Uxbridge)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he can tell the House what has been the general result of his communication with the Colonies respecting the proposed establishment of an uniform 2½d. letter postage, and when the reduced charge is likely to commence in this country?
§ MR. RAIKESI am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend and the House that the most important groups of our Colonies have at length decided in favour of reducing the letter postage in accordance with the scheme announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his last Budget speech. Notwithstanding the inevitable sacrifice of revenue, the several Governments of the Australasian Colonies, the Cape, Natal, the West African, West Indian, and some other Colonies are prepared for the change; and in regard to these I am making arrangements to carry it into effect on the 1st of January next. I have not yet been made aware of the ultimate decision of India and the Asiatic Colonies; but I am hopeful that the difficulties in those quarters may before long be overcome.