HC Deb 29 March 1905 vol 143 cc1528-9
MR. CHARLES DEVLIN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Canada in the Senate at Ottawa, on February 22nd, 1905, that the policy of His Majesty's Government in refusing to accede to the repeated demands of the Canadian authorities for a reduction in certain postal arrangements wasextraordinary, unwise, unsympathetic, and unpatriotic; and, if so, what action does His Majesty's Government intend taking.

LORD STANLEY

My attention has been called to the statement in question. The reasons which render it impossible for His Majesty's Government to accede to the request for the reduction of certain postal rates to Canada were fully explained by me recently in reply to a deputation. They are too long to give in Answer across the floor of the House, but I shall be happy to furnish the hon. Member with a report of my remarks. He will then see that there are two sides to this question.