September, 1897.
My Loup Duxe,—Early last month it came to the knowledge of this Chamber that, in arranging the new Mail contract between Hor Majesty's Government and the P. & 0.8. N.Co., it is proposed to alter the day of despatch from this port.
Hitherto the mail steamer has been despatched on Saturday, usually at daylight, or at such early hour as was suitable for tidal reasons, the mail closing on Friday evening. This Chamber now learns from the P. & O. S. N. Ca. that it is proposed to despatch the mail steamers on Tuesday at daylight, The Chamber is of opinion that before deciding on a change of this kind, some opportunity might have been afforded to those whom the change affects, of considering whether the proposed change was compatible with the conditions of trade. The stal revenue derived from commercial and nking interests cannot be insignificant to Her Majesty's Government, nor is the freight revenue derived by the contracting Steamer Company from the merchants of this port unimportant, on the contrary, in both cases commerce is the main con-wuter, and yet its interests have been ignored A more inconvenient and unsuitable time than Tuesday at daylight could searcely have been selected, and if adhered to, the commercial and banking community will be inevitably deprived not only of the Saturday half holiday, but will be compelled to turn Sunday into a day of constant work.
'The Committee of this Chamber, on the 12th ultimo, addressed the Local Agent of the P. & O. S. N. Ca. as follows'
"<The Committee desire to point that the departure of the Mail Steamer on Tuesday which means that the Post Offices will sloso their mails on Monday evening) will practically turn Sunday, the day of rest, into nday of work. The day preceding the mail day is as busy a day in every merchant's office as that on which the mails close, and the fact that the banks clo-e at noon on Saturdays will either compel merchants to complete all_ financial Matters for the mail by that time (i.e, nearly three days before the departure of the mail, which is out of the question) or necessitate such work being done between noon on Saturday and the opening of the banks on Monday morning, in order that drafts and documents may be then delivered.
"Tt is from the merchants of this port that your Company has for many years derived large support. It is therefore reasonable to ask that in settling matter of this kind they should have consideration, and the Committee request that you will transmit by wire to your Head Ottice this protest against an arrangement which is so highly inconvenient to local trade.
Phe Committee trust that it may be possible to retain Friday as mail day as, without any cause being shown to the contrary, it does not appear that the delivery of the mails in London three days earlier than at present will cause serious inconvenience such as that which would be entailed by the contemplated change in the day of departure from this port."
The following was the reply from the P. & 0. S.N. Go.'s Agent "I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to-day's date, and note what you say concerning the disadvantages which would result from a Monday mail day.
"The objections to such an arrangement are no doubt well understood. by all concerned in the China trade, and, I would int out, will affect the Mail Company to fully as great an extent as the merchants.
would beg to remind you that the framing of the Mail programme is not left to the Directors of the P. & 0. Ca, who in this respect merely carry out instructions received from H.M.'s Government.
"J, however, have much pleasure in agreeing to your request to telegraph to my Directors the views of your Comunittee.
"At the same time I would venture to suggest that it would be as well were a separate protest sent home by you, either to the London Chamber of Commerce, or through such other channels as your Committee may see fit to make use of."
The P. & 0. Ca. apparently disclaim all responsibility, and under these circumstances this Chamber appeals to Your Grace to abandon the proposed change of day.
T have the honour to be, Your Grace's most obedient servant, E. F. Aurorn, Chairman, His Grace the Duke of Norfulk, K.¢., etc., ete.
Postmaster-General,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.