§ MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, having regard to the early arrival of the American mails landed at Queenstown, and the fact that answers to letters by said mails were enabled to be made the following day, he will consider the advisability of making a communication to the American Postmaster General, with a view of having all mails for the United Kingdom, except ship-directed letters, landed in future at Queenstown?
§ MR. A. MORLEYThe choice of steamers at New York is believed to be still regulated according to records of the through time to London on the last three eastward voyages; and so long as this is the case it would not be reasonable to make any communication on the subject.
§ MR. MACARTNEYMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the landing of American mails at Southampton involves 18 hours' additional steaming; and that, given two vessels of equal speed, the advantage will always be in favour of disembarking the mails at Queenstown?
§ MR. FORWOOD (Lancashire, Ormskirk)May I inquire whether it would not be possible to have letters for the North of England delivered viâ (Queens-town, whatever may be decided with respect to London letters?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI will consider how far that is possible. The subject of the carriage of the American mails is entirely within the control of the American Post Office, and the English Government have no right to interfere. The American Government select their own steamers, and I am bound to confess that the rule the American Postmaster General had laid down is, under all the circumstances, extremely fair.
§ MR. MACARTNEYIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the American Postmaster General has informed the Dublin Corporation and Chamber of Commerce that he will be per- 1066 fectly ready to receive any information from the English Postmaster General.
§ MR. A. MORLEYI have not heard of such an intimation being given; but as soon as I come to the conclusion that the arrangements of the American Post Office are not in accordance with the interests of this country I shall be perfectly ready to make a recommendation.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)Will the right hon. Gentleman make a representation to the American Postmaster General based upon the facts in his possession, seeing how greatly this matter affects Queenstown and that part of Ireland?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI am watching the matter, and when the time comes will make any representation which may be necessary.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the mails brought viâ Queenstown last Saturday wore delivered the same evening, while the mails coming viâ Southampton were not delivered until Monday?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI am not sure as to the exact time; but there is no doubt that the mails coming viâ Queenstown were delivered in Ireland very much quicker than the mails by the other route.