E.—3A;

3

Prom the Hon. John Robertson and the Hon. J. F. Burns. We will endeavour to carry out your wishes in both regards, and decline the postage. We assume that we are to negotiate on behalf of New Zealand as well as our own Government ? Answers Yes, that is what I propose. * NEW CABLE CHARGES. Prom Sir Julius Vogel. Wiiat do you propose about charges for telegrams at Sydney ? Cooper agreed to make a charge of sixpence a telegram for delivery, the Contractors to deliver them to your messengers at Sydney. You have, I understand, objected to the Contractors going to Sydney. What do you propose about charge for telegrams to Sydney ? Answer. Telegraph Act would not permit line Botany to Sydney in hands of a company. We are constructing a line, and propose to charge sixpence each way for messages ten words, which will barely cover expenses. This will include delivery charges. Do you approve ? Prom Sir Julius Vogel. Hah I known at the time I was negotiating with Cooper, that there was an impediment to going to Sydney with line, I would have agreed to place Sydney on same footing as elsewhere. I think the compromise you now propose very reasonable, but would suggest half-penny a word, for reasons which apply to all telegrams, and which I am prepared to bring before you, as follow: — The cable charges between New South Wales and New Zealand will include address and signature, whilst ordinary charges do not. Would it not be better, therefore, to make the land charge for these messages one penny a word, getting the other colonies to do the same ? Of course, when messages go past Sydney, I understand the penny rate only is to be charged, and not the additional half-penny, and the rate for English messages is to be the same as that charged from Melbourne to Adelaide. Answer. As the cable rate is a ten-word tariff, it would cause confusion in accounts to charge a word rale on land and ten-word rate for the cable. Would prefer the sixpenny rate unless Company will consent to word-by-word tariff, when will be prepared to adopt your suggestion. Hope you will agree to this. The Company could not bring the cable into Sydney, and it would not be safe to lay a subterranean line. The through rate to other colonies, including Darwin, will not be altered. From Sir Julius Vogel. I do not think you see the point of their ten words including address and signature, whilst colonial rates do not. However, we can always communicate when line is laid. Meanwhile, you might telegraph to Company suggesting word-rate of ninepence. In any case, I,will agree to your proposal, sixpence ten words Sydney, and I presume half-penny a word additional. Say if this is so, and also that you do not propose to charge the Sydney rate on messages going past Sydney. That would be contrary to agreement in every way. Answer. Quite understood point. Ten words, including address, sixpence, and half-penny for additional word, satisfactory. This does not apply to messages going past Sydney. * The following telegram, and extract from a letter, are reprinted from F. —3 (Papers relating to the San Francisco Service), which see, for further relating to the matter : — The Hon. the Colohial Secretary, New South Wales, to the lion. Sir J. VoaEL. Sydney, 27th February. Burns and I overlooked, in our telegraphic conversation with you on 29th January last, that our predecessors in office somewhat committed this colony to carry Fiji mails for postage ouly. Copy of the correspondence per next mail. Hon. Sir J. Vogel, Wellington. Colonial Seceetary. Extract from Letter dated February 28th, from the Hon. Sir J. Vogei to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, New South Wales. " Since the above was written, I have received a telegram from the Hon. Mr. Eobertson, copy of which I enclose. I understand from this, that your Government consider the conditions with Fiji are somewhat affected by the action of the preceding Government; but Ido not understand Mr. Robertson to consider the question so settled as to preclude your negotiating as agreed upon at the recent conference by telegraph. Possibly, Fiji might prefer paying a stated sum ; and any understanding with the late Government could scarcely have been so definite as to preclude consideration of this fact, ■which arose after that Government's retirement, that the Contractors are willing to take £15,000 less if the calling at Fiji is abandoned. The eowespondenee which was sent to us from your colony on the subject, together with that in our own offices, does not lend to the conclusion that the consideration of the subject is closed. Writing of that arrangement on the 26th January, 1875, Mr. Tilley, the Secretary to the London Post Office, spoke of it as a temporary measure. Mr. Samuel, in his memorandum of the 31st July, 1874, which was forwarded to us by the Hon. Mr. Parkes, stated that it would 'bo necessary to obtain, before any decision can be arrived at/ the consent of New Zealand to his proposal. To this wo replied, ' We concur in the recommendation made by the Hon. Mr. Samuel in regard to the carriage of Fiji mails as a temporary arrangement ; but suggest that, if after a year or so Kandavau should continue to be a port of call for the Pacific mail steamers, the Fiji Government should be required to pay a subsidy for the advantage conferred upon those islands.' Since .then Fiji has become a British colony, and the extra coat of calling there is £15,000. Surely the time has arrived when the temporary arrangement should be superseded. Eecent letters from the Colonial Office treat the question as open, and there was also an invitation to postpone dealing with it till after Sir A. Gordon's arrival. lam under the impression yonr predecessors retired before the Governor of Fiji took office, so that in all ways it seems to me you are free to act; and this colony decidedly desires a fixed contribution from Fiji."