We are assured that the Post Office has not decided
to send the Indian mails by Brindisi, and that the idea of giving the Overland contract to the Messageries Imperiales never entered any official's head. They were only asked to tender for parts of the contract. They ought not to have an inch of it ; but we sup- pose the truth is, they were to be played off against the P. and 0. Company, and so bring prices down. If that is the case, it is thin policy, as the P. and 0. Company know perfectly well whether they are or are not masters of the situation. We have an im- pression, and give it only as an impression, that the Post Office could get a good deal by more nearly equalizing postages via Southampton and Marseilles. We question if the public is really
much benefited by the very heavy differential duty in favour of the former.
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