UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO). [In continuation of F.-7, presented on the 28th September, 1910.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1911 Session I, F-07

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1911. N X W ZEALAND.

UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO). [In continuation of F.-7, presented on the 28th September, 1910.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

No. Page. Australia : Reduction in postage .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3, 4, 7 2, 3 French Oceania: Proposed reduction of postage with New Zealand .. .. .. 1,2,5,8,10,12 1-4 Imperial Conference: Motion by Sir J. G. Ward .. .. .. .. .. n <j, Rhodeeia joins Imperial penny-postage scheme .. .. .. .. .. 6, 9 Ii

No. 1. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 7th July, 1910. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, papers on the subject of the rates of postage between New Zealand and French Oceania. I have, <fee, The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand. Crewe. P.O. 10/981(1).]

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sir,— General Post Office. London 29th June, 1910. With reference to your letter of the 19th of la,st month [not printed], forwarding a copy of a despatch from the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand [No. 63, Al, 1910]. and of correspondence exchanged in 1903 -4 between His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris and the French Government, concerning the proposed reduction of the rate of postage on letters sent between New Zealand and the French settlements of Oceania, I am directed to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the Postmaster-General sees no objection to the renewal of the negotiations with the French Government on this subject. According to a recent announcement by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union the rates of postage charged on letters exchanged between France and the French colonies, including the French settlements of Oceania, have now been reduced to 10 centimes for letters weighing not more than 20 grammes, 15 centimes for letters exceeding 20 grammes but not exceeding 50 grammes in weight, and 5 centimes for every 50 grammes or fraction thereof for letters exceeding 50 grammes in weight. In these circumstances the French Government may perhaps now be willing to reduce the rates of postage on letters from the settlements in Oceania to New Zealand. I am, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Matthew Nathan.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 1. The Undee-Secretaey of State for the Colonies to the Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. Sir,— Downing Street, 7th July, 1910. With reference to your letter of ihe 30th June, 1904 [not printed], I am directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir Edward Grey, the accompanying copy of a despatch [No. 63, Al, 1910] from the Governor of New Zealand relative to the rates of postage between New Zealand and French Oceania, together with copy of a letter from the General Post Office on the subject. 2. Lord Crewe would be glad, provided Sir E. Grey sees no objection, if steps could be taken to ascertain the views of the French Government on the proposal submitted by the New Zealand Government. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. C. P. Lucas.

No. 2. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th December, 1910. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, papers on the subject of the proposed reduction of postal rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. I have, &c, The Officer administering the Government of Now Zealand. L. Harcourt. Enclosure in No. 2. His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris to the Right Hon. tin , Secretary of State for Foreign A I'FA IRS. Sir,— Paris, 30th November, 1910. With reference to my despatch of the 2nd instant [not printed], I have the honour to inform you that I have received a note from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs to the effect that the French Government are awaiting a reply from the Governor of French Oceania relative to the question of the proposed reduction of postal rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. When the reply is received the French Government will further consider the question. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., &c. Francis Bertie. No. 3. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, 9th December, 1910. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that this Administration will be prepared, from a date next year which has not yet been finally decided upon, but which it is anticipated will not be later than Ist May, to send letters to your country at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. The Post-master-General will be glad to learn that your Administration concurs in this arrangement, and that you will be prepared to issue the necessary instructions in the matter to the officers under your control. I have, &c, Justinian Oxenham, Acting-Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. * [P.O. 10/981(5).] No. 4. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the A< tine-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 4th January, 1911. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 9th ultimo, and to say that the PostmasterGeneral has pleasure in agreeing to the acceptance in Nev, Zealand of letters from your country prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. [P.O. 10/981(5).]

Enclosure in No. 2. His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Foreign A FFAIBS. Sir,— Paris, 30th November, 1910. With reference to my despatch of the 2nd instant [not printed], I have the honour to inform you that I have received a note from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs to the effect that the French Government are awaiting a reply from the Governor of French Oceania relative to the question of the proposed reduction of postal rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. When the reply is received the French Government will further consider the question. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., toe. Francis Bertie.

No. 3. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, 9th December, 1910. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that this Administration will be prepared, from a date next year which has not yet been finally decided upon, but which it is anticipated will not be later than Ist May, to send letters to your country at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. The Post-master-General will be glad to learn that your Administration concurs in this arrangement, and that you will be prepared to issue the necessary instructions in the matter to the officers under your control. I have, &c, Justinian Oxenham, Acting-Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington. [P.O. 10/981(5).]

No. 4. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Actixg-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 4th January, 1911. I have the honour to refei to your letter of the 9th ultimo, and to say that the PostmasterGeneral has pleasure in agreeing to the acceptance in New Zealand of letters from your country prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary, The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. [P.O. 10/981(5).]

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No. 5. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,— Downing Street, 10th March, 1911. With reference to my despatch of the 9th December last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the consideration of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris, which has been received from the Foreign Office, respecting the proposed reduction of the minimum postage rate between New Zealand and French Oceania. I have, &c, Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. L. Harcourt.

Enclosure in No. 5. His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Sir,— Paris, 2nd March, 1911. With reference to my despatch of 30th November last. I have the honour to inform you that I am in receipt of a note from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs stating that the French Government have no objection in principle to the proposed reduction of the minimum postage rate between French Oceania and New Zealand to 10 centimes and Id., and that they will bo glad to consider any draft agreement in this sense which may be submitted to them. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart,, M.P., &<•. Francis Bertie. No. 8. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,— Downing Street, 4th April, 1911. I have the honour to state, for the information of your Ministers, that the rate of pof on letters from the whole of Rhodesia to the United Kingdom and all parts of the British Empire where the Imperial penny-postage scheme has been adopted has been reduced to Id. pen , half-ounce as from the Ist instant. The Rhodesia authorities will pass without charge letters prepaid »t the penny rate received from other British possessions. I have, tec., Governor theJßight Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. L. Harcourt. No. 7. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, 20th April, 1911. With reference to my communication of the 9th December last, and your reply thereto, relative to the proposal of this Administration to send letters to your country at the rate of Id. per half-ounce, I have the honour to inform you that the Ist proximo has been fixed as the date from which such arrangement shall take effect. I have, &c, Justinian Oxenham, Acting-Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, N.Z. [Acknowledged, 10th May.] No. 8. The Hon. the Actixg-Postmaster-Gknkhal. Wellington, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister of New Zealand (in London). (Telegram.) Wellington. 29th April, 1911. Colonial Office despatch ninety-four:. French Government has now no objection in principle id establishment of penny post New Zealand French Oceania, but asks for draft agreement. This will take a long time to arrange through diplomatic channel. It would be graceful act. and mark Coinnation postally, if, pending completion diplomatic negotiations, New Zealand were at least permitted send penny letters outward direction commencing Coronation day. Can you facilitate ? I P.O. 10/981(1).] ' No. 9. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington. sth May, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of notice No. 6 [not printed], issued by your office on the 2nd February last, announcing that from the Ist ultimo the rate of postage on letters from Southern Rhodesia to the United Kingdom and all parts of the British Empire where the Imperial penny-postage scheme had been adopted would be reduced to Id. per half-ounce or fraction thereof, and that the rate to other parts of the world would remain at 2|d. per half-ounce. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. D. Robertson, Secretary. [P.O. 11/66(4).]

No. 8. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th April, 1911. I have the honour to state, for the information of your Ministers, that the rate of postage on letters from the whole of Rhodesia to the United Kingdom and all parts of the British Empire where the Imperial penny-postage scheme has been adopted has been reduced to Id. per half-onnce us from the Ist instant. The Rhodesia authorities will pass without charge letters prepaid at the penny rate received from other British possessions. T have, &<■., Governor thetßight Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. L. Harcourt.

No. 7. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, 20th April, 1911. With reference to my communication of the 9th December last, and your reply thereto, relative to the proposal of this Administration to send letters to your country at the rate of Id. per half-ounce, I have the honour to inform you that the Ist proximo has been fixed as the date from which such arrangement shall take effect. I have, &c, Justiniax Oxexham. Ac-ting-Secivf a rv. The Secretary, General Post Office Wellington, N.Z. [Acknowledged, 10th May.]

No. 8. The Hon. the Wellington, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister of New Zealand (in London). (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th April, 1911. Colonial Office despatch ninety-four :. French Government has now no objection in principle to establishment of penny post New Zealand French Oceania, but asks for draft agreement. This will take a long time to arrange through diplomatic channel. It would be graceful act, and mark Coronation postallv, if, pending completion diplomatic negotiations, New Zealand were at, least perm it tod scud penny letters outward direction commencing Coronation day. Can yon facilitate l . [P.O. 10/981(1).] ________^^____^_

No. 9. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, sth May, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt (if notice No. 6 [not printed], issued by your office on the 2nd February last, announcing that from the Ist ultimo the rate of postage on letters from Southern Rhodesia to the United Kingdom and all parts of the British Empire where the Imperial penny-postage scheme had been adopted would be reduced to Id. per half-ounce or fraction thereof, and that the rate to other pa its of the world would remain at 2|d. per half-ounce. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. D. Robertson, Secretary. [P.O. 11/56(4).]

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No. 10. The Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to His Excellency the Governor. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 6th May, 1911. Thk Acting Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to refer to Colonial Office despatch No. !)■! [No. s], on the subject of the reduction of the minimum postage rate between New Zealand and French Oceania. As suggested in the despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris to the Foreign Office, a draft convention has been prepared, and is enclosed herewith [not printed] for the consideration of the French Government. J. Carroll, Acting Prime Minister.

No. 11. Proposal moved by the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward at the Imperial Conference, London, 15th June, 1911, and adopted. That, in view of the social and political advantages and the material commercial advantages to accrue from a system of international penny postage, this Conference recommends to His Majesty's Government the advisability, if and when a suitable opportunity occurs, of approaching the Governments of other States, members of the Universal Postal Union, in order to obtain further reduction of postal rates, with a view to the more general, and if possible, universal adoption of the penny rate. LP.O. 10/1347.] NO. 12. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister (at London) to the Hon. the Acting-Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) [27th] June, 1911. Made representations penny postage outwards New Zealand French Oceania commence Coronation day, but no reply yet received. [P.O. 10/981(1).] Approximate Oust of Pajiei:-- Preparation, not given ; printing (1,560 copies), f.i.

No. 12. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister (at London) to the Hon. the Acting-Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) [27th] June, 1911. Made representations penny postage outwards New Zealand French Oceania commence Coronation day, but no reply yet received. [P.O. 10/981(1).] Approximate Cost of Paper. — Preparation, not given ; printing (1,560 copies), &t.

By Authority : John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ll.

Price 3d I