§ LORD NEWTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether any further steps have been taken towards the establishment of a British post-office at Salonika. This is a small matter that has occupied the attention of the Govern- 135 ment for some considerable time, and I should not be surprised to learn that it had formed the subject of that animated correspondence with the Treasury to which the noble Marquess referred the other day. Owing to the somewhat imperfect—I will use no stronger term—arrangements of the Turkish postal system, foreign Governments are now in the habit of providing post-offices of their own in large Turkish towns. Although it is, theoretically, necessary to obtain the permission of the Turkish Government to establish these offices, it has frequently been found needful to establish such offices first, and to ask for permission afterwards. These establishments are not maintained for the purpose of producing revenue, but in order that they may afford some convenience to the foreign commercial colonies which are established in these towns, and with the object of encouraging foreign trade. There is an important British colony in Salonika, which is placed at a considerable disadvantage commercially owing to the absence of a post-office. The British residents have either to make use of the Turkish post-office, in which contingency they would never receive any letters at all, or depend upon the favour of those foreign Governments who have post-offices of their own. The establishment of a British post-office at Salonika has been strongly recommended by the Consul-General of Salonika, it has been petitioned for by the British Chamber of Commerce at Constantinople, and the advisability of establishing it has been urged by our Embassy at Constantinople. I conceive that the only obstacle to the establishment of a British post office there is the Treasury, and I hope the Postmaster-General will assure us that the scruples of the Treasury have been overcome, and that the small sum necessary for this modest undertaking will be forthcoming very soon.
THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (the DUKE of NORFOLK)My Lords, I am glad to be able to assure the noble Lord that the conditions are now arranged under which I trust very shortly to provide a British post-office at Salonika, and I am now engaged in the personal question of appointing a postmaster.
§ House adjourned at forty-five minutes after Five of the clock, to Friday next, at fifteen minutes after Ten of the clock.