§ Mr. HACKINGasked the Postmaster-General what advantages this country gains in return for agreeing to the contract to carry mails between Great Britain and South Africa being concluded between the Union Castle Steamship Company and the Government of the Union of South Africa without our being even a party to such contract?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHUnder the present arrangement, by which the contract with the Union Castle Steamship Company is made by His Majesty's Government in South Africa, payment is made for the carriage of mails from this country under ordinary Postal Union conditions. No more favourable terms would result from direct participation by this country in the contract, and there is no reason for modifying an arrangement which has been in force for more than 50 years.