§ SIR WILLIAM HOLLAND (Yorkshire, W.R., Rotherham)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the arrangement that he has been negotiating with the Dominion Government with reference to the postage on newspapers, magazines, and trade journals from this country to Canada has been brought to a conclusion; and if he can state what is the nature of the arrangement.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarI am glad to say that I have been able to come to an arrangement with Mr. Lemieux, the Dominion Postmaster-General, by which the postage rates on newspapers, magazines, and trade journals going to Canada will be very materially reduced. Perhaps I need not trouble the House with the details of the arrangement, as a statement in regard to the matter will appear to-morrow morning. Substantially the effect of the arrangement is this: The present postal rate on the articles in question is approximately 4d. per pound, which will be reduced to 1d. per pound per packet. But a very substantial portion of the loss involved by the reduction of 3d. per pound will be borne by the Dominion Post Office and only a portion will therefore fall upon the British Post Office. The Dominion Government will relieve the British Post Office, and themselves bear the cost of ocean transit on the articles in question in ships under contract with Canada. This represents a relief to us, in respect of the matter conveyed on those ships, of a little over 2d. per pound. The arrangement just concluded will put 608 this country in future in a more favourable postal position towards Canada in respect of newspapers, magazines, and trade journals than that occupied by any other country. We are sanguine that the reduction thus given, and the improved postal facilities granted, will lead to increased postal communications, and to the circulation on a large scale of British newspapers, magazines, and trade journals in Canada. I desire to state emphatically, however, that this particular postal concession is based partly on the consideration of the very special and peculiar position, geographical and otherwise, occupied by Canada, the result of which is that British newspapers, magazines, etc., have been unable to obtain a footing in Canada, and do not reach the Canadian citizen, and partly in consideration of the very material contribution to the cost made by Canada herself. This concession must not in any way be held to form a precedent for a reduction in other cases where similar conditions do not prevail. The arrangement, being experimental, is limited at first to four years. I hope to be able to bring the new rates into force on 1st May.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether trade catalogues and circulars will be included in the reduced rates? May I offer my congratulations to the right hon. Gentleman upon having arrived at this arrangement?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONPerhaps it will be better if the right hon. Gentleman will wait to see the regulations about to be issued.