§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the Australian mail contracts; and, in view of the inconvenience to Australian merchants and others, whether he will urge an early settlement of the question by the Australian Government.
LORD STANLEYThe hon. Member will have seen, as I have, a statement in the Press that an arrangement has been arrived at between the Australian Government and the Orient Line for a fortnightly service. No confirmation of this contract has as yet reached either the Post Office or the Colonial Office, but I sincerely hope the report will turn out to be true.