§ MR. JOSEPH HOWARD (Middlesex, Tottenham)To ask the Postmaster General whether he can explain why the 1305 New Zealand and Australian mails are kept back at New york and sent by a New York line of steamers; and also whether he will make representations to the United States postal authorities of the inconvenience caused by this means to British traders, and point out the importance of sending on the mails by the first available steamer.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) I have no knowledge of any such detention as is described in the Question. On the contrary, the mails in question are understood to be sent on from New York by the steamer which will secure their earliest arrival in this country. During the present year the Australasian mails have been brought to this country from New York more frequently by the British steamers of the Cunard Line than by those of any other company, but they do not always reach New York in time for the Saturday despatch. There does not appear to be any case to represent to the United States Post Office.