§ SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that cable rates from Hong Kong to England via the Great Northern line are practically double those charged from Hong Kong to Russia; and whether he will remonstrate with the company, which enjoys a monopoly of landing rights on British territory, with the view of bringing about an abrogation of this discrimination between British and Russian merchants and bankers.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the difference in charge to which my hon. friend calls attention. It is in accordance with a well-established principle of the Telegraph Convention that adjoining counties like Russia and China or China and British India may make arrangements between themselves for lower rates than those which are generally applicable; and Hong Kong, as forming geographically part of China, has been brought within the terms of 949 the special agreements regulating telegraphic rates between China and Russia on the one hand, and China and British India on the other. These and other charges have been under the consideration of the Colonial Office and Post Office, and I hope that it may be possible to reduce the rate between this country and Hong Kong. I ought to add that the Great Northern Company does not possess a monopoly of landing rights in any British territory.