§ Sir E. STOCKTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that China has very materially raised all postal and telegraph charges now that the competition of foreign posts have been removed by the closing of foreign post offices; that the additions range from 33⅓ per cent, to 400 per cent.; and whether the Foreign Office will bear in mind the demoralising influence of these postal methods on foreign commerce, and endeavour to afford foreign interests adequate protection in all further cases where China wishes to assume, by international consent, control hitherto vested in international bodies?
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLNo official report on increases in Chinese postal and telegraph charges has been received, but I will cause inquiries to be made on the subject.