MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the United States postal authorities are in the habit of mailing letters and other communications coming to Great Britain and Ireland, and addressed "viâ Queenstown," by the Southampton mail ships, which are much slower than the Queenstown mail service, and thus causes considerable financial loss as well as loss of time and inconvenience to the public, and especially to the commercial classes in these countries; whether an arrangement was come to between the British and United States postal authorities that all letters, etc, addressed "viâ Queenstown" would be mailed by that route; and whether he will make representations to the United States authorities with the view of having the arrangement strictly observed in future?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General understands the practice of the United States Post Office to be the same as that of the British Post Office—namely, to send letters by any route for which they are specially directed. It is not by an arrangement come to between the British and United States Post Offices that letters marked "viâ Queenstown" are so sent, but by the ordinary rides of each office. Cases arise occasionally in which by accident the direction as to route is ignored; and when such cases are brought to the Postmaster General's notice he calls the attention of the United States Post Office to them.
MR. P. O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the United States authorities to the matter, as it has been extensively done for some time?
§ MR. HANBURYIn each case in which the attention of the Postmaster General is drawn to the practice he does do as the hon. Member suggests.