JP.—2.

36

No. 162. The Postmasteb-Geneeal, Victoria, to the Postmasteb-Geneeal, New Zealand. Post Office and Telegraph Department, Sib,— General Post Office, Melbourne, 10th March, 1887. I am in receipt of your letter of the 20th January with reference to the publication of certain statements by Mr. Pender on behalf of the Eastern Extension Company. I must confess that my views as to your action in the matter were, in the absence of any explanation from you, decidedly against the imposition of the heavy terminal charge made by your Government, which appeared to be antagonistic to all the other colonies, the more especially that the terminal charge was not imposed on telegrams from New Zealand. I thank you for your courteous expressions of regret at not having communicated your views to me earlier—a feeling with which I entirely sympathize, as this subject is one in which we have a common interest, and in the handling of it an interchange of views is most desirable and would probably prove advantageous in a high degree. I frequently desired to open up communication with you, and was only restrained by the feeling that such action might be regarded as an interference between you and the Postmaster-General of New South Wales, the Government of this colony having no locus standi, although the people are large contributors to the business of the cable. I need not say that I am completely at one with you in endeavouring to obtain telegraphic communication with your Island as cheaply as possible; and you will, no doubt, have noticed that to this end the New South Wales department has joined with us in reducing our land rates so as to lower the present almost prohibitive tariff, and I am now in communication with the PostmasterGeneral of New South Wales with a view to obtain a still further concession in the shape of a largely reduced rate for Press telegrams on a basis similar to that in force over the lines to Tasmania. I shall be gratified if you should be able to obtain a still further reduction in the cable rates; and to this end you will have my cordial support, as nothing will tend to increase the commercial and social relations between these colonies more than a cheap system of telegraphy. May'l venture to hope that you will shortly pay a visit to this continent, when the whole question of cables connecting the colonies with each other and with the outside world may be discussed, with a view to the advancement of our mutual interests ? It would afford me great pleasure to meet you in Sydney or to offer you a welcome here, as may seem the most convenient or agreeable to you and the Postmaster-General of New South Wales. I am strongly inclined to think that great good might result from such a conference ; and if you favour the suggestion I will endeavour to meet your wishes as to time so far as possible. I may mention that our Parliament meets in June, so that any time before then I think I can promise to ■ be entirely at your service. Tendering you my best thanks for affording me this opportunity of addressing you, I have, &c, Feed. T. Debham, The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Postmaster-General. Postmaster-General.

No. 163. The Postmasteb-Geneeal, New Zealand, to the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Victoria. Sib, — Post Office and Telegraph Department, Wellington, 25th March, 1887. I am greatly obliged by your kind and considerate letter of the 10th instant. I speak positively for this Government—and I believe the New South Wales Government will hold the same view—when I say that you should know all that takes place regarding the cable between the two colonies, and that your advice and counsel will be greatly esteemed. I believe a conference of the Postmasters-General of the colonies is very much needed. Our Parliament is about to assemble ; but later in the year I may be able to respond to your courteous invitation; and if your Parliament is sitting the Postmaster-General of New South Wales might be able to visit you in Melbourne. Melbourne or Sydney will be equally convenient, to whomever may represent this Government. Ido not refer to the Postmasters-General of other colonies, as I am not sure whether you desire a general conference or one only of the three colonies. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Postmaster-General, Victoria. Postmaster-General.

No. 164. The Postmasteb-Geneeal, Victoria, to the Postmasteb-Geneeal, New Zealand. Post Office and Telegraph Department, Sib,— General Post Office, Melbourne, 28th March, 1887. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, and to express my thanks for the memorandum containing particulars of your exhaustive scheme with regard to Australasian cables. The matter will, I beg to assure you, receive the most careful consideration, and you will be duly advised of the views of the Government of this colony upon the subject as soon as a decision has been arrived at. I have, &c, Feed. T. Debham, The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Postmaster-General. Electric Telegraph Commissioner, Wellington, New Zealand. [Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, nil; printing (1,400 copies), £24. 6s. Gd.J

Authority; Geoege Didsbuky, Government Printer, Wellington.