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No. 145. The Hon. the Peemiee, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 22nd January, 1900. Would sincerely hope that project of Eastern Extension Telegraph Company will not be accepted. Any kind of delay at this moment might be fatal.

No. 146. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hon. the Pbemieb, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd January, 1900. New Zealand will not accept Eastern Extension Company's offer, and has protested against Australia accepting, as inimical to Pacific cable.

No. 147. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hons. the Pbemiebs, Melbourne and Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd January, 1900. Have you received recommendation from Secretary of State for Colonies to accede to Eastern Extension Company's Cape to Australia cable scheme ? New Zealand considers acceptance of such scheme breach of faith Pacific-cable arrangement, seeing it must reduce earnings and increase liabilities.

No. 148. The Hon. the Peemiee, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Pbemieb," Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 24th January, 1900. Victoeian Government has received no direct communication from Secretary of State for Colonies concerning Eastern Extension Company's proposals ; but Mr. Lyne, Premier of New South Wales, has forwarded a copy of letter from Colonial Office to Agent-General for New South Wales, dated third November, which states that Mr. Chamberlain sees no objection to acceptance of proposals by Government of New South Wales. The whole question is now before the Premiers' Conference in Sydney.

No. 149. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hon. the Peemieb, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th January, 1900. I yesterday sent following cablegram to Premiers, Melbourne and Sydney : Have you received recommendation from Secretary of State for Colonies to accede to Eastern Extension Company's Cape to Australia cable scheme ? New Zealand considers acceptance of such scheme breach of faith Pacific-cable arrangement, seeing it must reduce earnings and increase liabilities.

No. 150. The Hon. the Premier, Brisbane, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Brisbane, 24th January, 1900. * Referring to your telegram to-day : Have received no recommendation from Secretary of State on subject. Yesterday telegraphed, in reply to Sir Wilfrid Laurier, that Queensland most desirous see Pacific cable immediately proceeded with and would not lend countenance to any proposals of Eastern Extension Company which might, tend to delay or prejudice Pacific-cable scheme.

No. 151. The Hon. the Premier, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 27th January, 1900. Your telegram of 23rd: On twenty-fifth October last I cabled Agent-General to consult Mr. Chamberlain re Eastern Extension Company's proposals as bearing on prospects .Pacific cable. Reply received third November that "Mr. Chamberlain sees no objection to acceptance Eastern Extension Company's proposals contained in your telegram twenty-fifth ultimo. He points out, however, it is not expressly stated that company is not in any case to increase its rates, and phrase at end telegram appears imply power reserved increase rate up to 1903 if revenue falls below amount fixed. Mr. Chamberlain would suggest you stipulate that once reduction made it must stand though traffic falls off.' He also thinks you should insist on South Africa to Australia cable being made all British. No mention is made as to rates between South Africa and Australia, and although this point does not directly concern Imperial Government or Mr. Chamberlain, of opinion you would do well to stipulate for fair maximum rate at least, if not for sliding-scale, as in other case. Finally, Mr. Chamberlain of opinion that arrangement should be made by which points where new cable landed would be settled in consultation with military authorities, with view B—F. 8.