HC Deb 04 May 1893 vol 12 cc62-3
MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether is aware that the United States Government has established a two cent. letter postage rate from New York to Alaska, crossing Canadian territory; and that Germany has established 10 pfennig letter postage from Germany to her settlements on the African coast; and under what clauses of the Postal Union Conventions these rates have been established?

MR. A. MORLEY

I am aware that there is an Agreement between the United States and Canada whereby the inland rates of each country are applicable to correspondence passing into the other country. The Governments concerned did not consult the other parties to the Union on the subject, and probably relied upon the 2nd clause of Article 21 of the Vienna Convention, which recognises the right of the parties to maintain and conclude Treaties, and to maintain and establish more restricted Unions, with a view to the improvement of postal relations. I have no information as regards the alleged rates between Germany and her African Colonies.

MR. HENNIKER HEATON

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, at the Postal Union Conference at Vienna in 1891, liberty was conceded to this country to establish a postal rate to the British Colonies of l½d. per letter; if not, what concession in this direction or freedom of action was obtained?

MR. A. MORLEY

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. To the second part I have to say nothing in the nature of a concession in the direction indicated, or freedom of action was or could be obtained in the face of the covenant agreed to by this country, and all the other members of the Union fully explained to the House on the 28th April as to the conditions on which the Australasian Colonies entered into the Union.

MR. HENNIKER HEATON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Predecessor declared that greater freedom of action was obtained on the occasion of the Vienna Convention, and will he say what was meant by that?

MR. A. MORLEY

I was not aware that my right hon. Friend did make that statement. I should be glad if the hon. Member will send me the reference.