§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Postmaster General if he will state when the P. and O. and Orient mail steamship contracts for the conveyance of mails to India, China, and Australia will terminate; when will new tenders be invited; and what steps are being taken to meet the difficulties now presenting themselves in regard to the employment of coloured labour on the mail steamships to Australia.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN; These contracts are terminable on or after 31st January, 1905, by two years previous notice. I cannot at present fix a date for calling for new tenders. Any questions that arise in regard to them will have to be discussed by the different Governments concerned.