The New York herald., 1871-05-16

forward was because ne Relieved tnat tne
San Juan, and because It ba al peen thought by
this country that in giving H, The United states all
60 600 square miles OF the nest land that part OF
the world this country dy so with the idea OF set
Nevertheless, n consey ience OF the boundary line
no; ueing put down On the chart, dispute COM
i1eay An agreemS he might add. had been en-
tered into that nTf1 the commissioners, TO whose
appointment DotE sides mad assented, had decided
the points IN disTdte neither party should interfere
with the otief: but, Notwithstanding, violent oc-
cupation OF the island by American troops occurred
1t under suaf4 circumstances would, in his opinion.
De most MJust to the inhabitants OF Vancouver
honor anri cretit OF this country. To the United
States San Juan would be OF little or no value
cept enable her to prevent US from getng out Of
w/s OF considerable Importance. He hoped, there
Ioe, the nobie Ear opposite would be able TO give
pavoraoe answer TO the question which ne mad pus
TO him.
Earl GRANVILLE had no doubt the facts which the
noble Lord had stated might with advantage be
brought before arbitrators either sde The Joint
Commi sSton however, which was dealing with those
matters, had determined TO Keep their proceedings
secret until they rad arrived at some definite result
one way or the other.
The karl OF LAUDERpALE wished TO know whether
the commissioners were In possession oil two Amerl
can charts, the one published py Colonel Freeman
IN lS4s and the other last year the line in the for
mer being drawn down close 10 the American shore,
and in the latter close TO Vancouver's Island thar
II wars Impossible ship OF any size could get through
Earl GRANvILLE-The Commissioners are IN pos
session of all the information which we have been
abe to give them to details such as those men
commissioners are not TO settle all these questions,
hut the mode in which they should be decided.
The Question of Cheap Postal Communicn-
tion Between England and America In the
British Parliament.
In the House of Commons on the 81 inst. Mr..
Seey moved that in the opinion OF the House, 1t Is
desirable tnat the Postmaster General should pro-
pose 20 the Postmaster General OF the United
States that the letter postage between the two
countries should reduced from three pence to one
penny. He pointed out at some length that the
change would not only be OF great advantage to the
mercantile community, but still more 10 the poorer
classes, who mad now considerable communication
with America, while II would also benefit the postal
revenue, and have the further result OF drawing the
relations OF the two countries much closer together.
Mr. MuNDELLA seconded The motion He complained
that the present rates were too hlgh notwlthstand
ing the reductions Which had been made, and that
sull greater advantages might be expected from the
proposal OF his honorable friend.
nue. from the post once. In ms opinion IL wouid
be good policy to establish an ocean penny postage
and general advantages which would result from
cheap commun cation with America
Mr.. MoNSRLL could assure the House that he must
entirely sympathize with the motives OF those wno
supported the resolution. He was deeply sensible
also OF the advantages which would result espe-
America lie did not, however expect that there
would be the great increase III the letters anuci-
pated, but he hoped that great benefits would
result from the convention winch he was endeavor-
ing 10 negotiate fora cheap money order system
poorer classes were conducted rather by means
OF newspapers than letters. The real question
was me pecnn,a airy one; he had Lot an IN
TO the classes who correspond with America
must be Afforded by depriving oner classes of some
OF the postal advantages which they now enjoy Sir
Rowland Hill, who did so much for cheap postage,
always laid down the prlnclpie tnat good could
be effected unless the service was selsupporting.
and give especial facilities to one service at
the cost OF others was giving protection TO one
class As long as the present contracts existed II
was absolutely Impossible to reduce the rates fuI-
ther. but there was also this diculty:-The inter-
mai rale OF postage IN America still higher than
one penny, and lt would be impossible to ask the
government 10 carry letters across the Atlantic and
distribute them all over America at less rate than
especially as they were incurrlng O loss from
the sea postage. His honorable friends were, he
would be benentted. Under the one shilling rate TO
America the revenue IRON the sea postage was
fl5OOOo; and when II was reduced In 1865 TO six
pence the revenue fell TO fs2,7so. while the increase
IN the number OF letters was only l6A per cent
above the nominal annual increase OF seven. The
rate was then reduced 10 threepence, and the in
crease III the number Of letters was only 1919 per
cent beyond the nominal increase OF seven and
a half per cent, While The revenue, which had been
fl3-,0uc under the one shilling rate, mad fallen
from 492, I30 under the siXpence rate TO
f47 900 under the tnreepence rate. The total cost
OF the packet service was now fS3s, 900, but the
revenue from the sea postage was only f363, 900,
therefore, that any further loss from reduction on
the postage to America could only be made up Tor |
by deprving the puolic OF some OF the facilities
which ihey now ENJOY In tnelr inland postage. AT
present the Post 0ifice was chained by the con-
tracts, but when they expired he hoped that would
can postage, and he trusted that his honorable I
friend would leave the matter in the hands OF The |
pathiZe with MS OBJECTS, and would do all they |
could to carry them out.
Mr.. CASDLlsH supported the motion.
Mr.. WHITE said tnaI the Post ONCE already had q |
surplus OF 81 100000, and In his view that sum
ought TO be applied to extending postal facilities,
Alter some remarks from Mr. Hadneld.
Mr. GLADSTONE said that great economy had re- |
Gently been made In the Post ONCE, and some OF
the most burdensome contracts had been materially
reduced. There nad been recently great reductions
In the postal rates TO America and he had hoped |
that further time would be given to observe their I
eleet. IL was, as his right honorable friend nad |
pointed out almost impossible to expect any |
by his honorable friend. But he must object !!
further to the resolution. that it a peremp- |
Its government to Interfere in the International |
affairs Of another country lie deeply regretted that
that single representative OF the late govern
ment was present TO explain its policy in entering
slightest necessity. He mad hoped that the matter
would be left In the hands VI the Postmaster Gen.
eral, who might be safely relied upon to do all In
his power TO reduce the rate OF postage; but If the
resolution was passed he would move an amend |
nent TO The effect that the government should enter
into communications with the government of the |
United states with view TO reducing the rates of
postage without under charge upon the revenue
Mr. SFELY pointed out that the loss would be
nothing ike that stated by the Postmaster General.
lie had reason 70 know that the United States gov
ernment would listen favoMbly TO such proposal.
After some discussion, MI Seey's resolution was
negatlyed, but on Mr. Gladstone's being put, Mr.
Hadlied objected 10 the words (under charge to the
revenueh but afterwards offered to withdraw; but
on this
hr. WHALLEY cried out '.No," and an amusing
scene occurred.
Ihe SPEAKER asked II Mr.. Whaey had teller, to
which the latter replied that IN the right hon
orabie gentemans hands, and this was repeated
several tines untl Mr.. Whalley pointed out that this
was not the time to have teller. Ultimately the
amendment OF Mr. Gladstone was put as q substan
tive resolution, and carried without division.
if RGlAHO,