§ MR. RUNCIMAN; I beg to ask the Postmaster-General a Question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether the Australian Commonwealth Government and the Orient Pacific Line have yet been able to arrive at an agreement for the resumption of a fortnightly mail service between Australia and the United Kingdom, and, if so, when the new service will commence.
LORD STANLEYYes, Sir; I have received a telegram from the Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth to say that terms have been agreed upon between that Government and the Orient Company for a fortnightly service, which will be alternate with that which this country has by way of the Peninsular and Oriental Company. The first service will begin from Adelaide on April 13th for the homeward mail, and the outward mail from Naples on April 16th.