ADMIRAL FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, why the high rate of postage of 6d. per letter at St. Helena is maintained instead of 2½d. as in all other of our Colonial possessions; and whether in view of the great poverty of the population generally, the recommendation of the Acting Governor in the matter of this excess of postal charge will be accepted, as pointed out in page 5, Colonial Report, No. 176, St. Helena, for 1895, issued last year?
§ MR. HANBURYMy hon. and gallant Friend is advocating a reform which was carried into effect several months ago. On the 1st of October last the postage on letters from St. Helena was reduced from 6d. to 2½d. per half ounce.
ADMIRAL FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to Colonial Report, No. 176, St. Helena, for 1895, issued last year, where, at page 6, the Acting Governor calls attention to the fact of the growing increase of the female population over the male owing to the emigration of the young men to Cape Colony, and points out the desire of many young women to proceed to the Cape as domestic servants; and whether under the circumstances, he can suggest to the High Commissioner at the Cape to endeavour to arrange with the Cape Government to offer assisted passages from St. Helena to respectable girls to enable them to proceed to Cape Colony where the males are in excess of the females?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am in communication with the Agent General for the Cape Colony on this subject, and shall be glad if it is possible to make some arrangement such as is suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.