F.—B

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years' experience has proved the wisdom of the course followed. I cannot but think that the same wise policy will commend itself to the people of Canada. The rates at present charged for the transmission of messages between Ottawa and points in the several provinces range as follows:— Highest. Lowest. Between Ottawa and Nova Scotia ' ... ... ... 055 ... 0-25 Prince Edward Island ... ... 0-75 ... 0-50 „ New Brunswick ... ... ... 055 ... 0-25 Quebec... ... ... ... 1-25 ... 0-25 Ontario... ... ... ... 1-25 ... 0-25 Manitoba ... ... ... 1-00 ... o'so British Columbia ... ... 4-00 ... 075 The North-west Territories ... 5-75 ... 0-75 The lowest charges are 25 cents for "day messages" of ten words, and the same sum for " night messages "of twenty-five words. Would not the adoption of these rates for all distances, as far as the telegraph-lines extend, be in the general interest? Would not a uniform tariff place our people in every province precisely on the same footing? We have long accepted the principle of uniform charges in the Department over which you preside. A 2-cent postage-stamp affixed to a letter secures its conveyance to any place near or remote, and yet it will be recognised that the carriage of a letter a thousand miles costs more than its carriage one mile. If the principle be acceptable in the postal service, is not a uniform charge for all distances far more justifiable in the telegraph service of the Dominion ? With becoming respect I submit these few paragraphs, the result of careful inquiry and much consideration. I have not alluded to the Marconi system of telegraphy. I shall only remark that, should the recent achievements result in providing an alternative means of transmitting messages across the Atlantic more speedily and more cheaply than by electric cable, so much the better will it be for the great objects we have in view in Canada. Meanwhile I have expressed the conclusions arrived at by me on two important matters before the Government. I shall rejoice if I have in.the least aided in throwing light on these subjects. My investigations have led me to the conviction that both proposals can be carried out without risk and with very great advantage to the Canadian people. lam satisfied that they would, in no limited sense, tend to advance the prosperity and unity of the Empire. In what other respects the onward movement of the Empire would be promoted I shall seek another opportunity to point out.I have, &c, The Hon. Wm. Mulock, Postmaster-General, Canada. Sandford Fleming.

No. 43. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W. 15th January, 1902. I beg to transmit herewith, for the information and consideration of the Government, copies of the following letters from the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board, namely :— 1. Letter dated the 17th December last, addressed to His Majesty's Treasury, with reference to the establishment of a Cable Maintenance and Benewal Fund. 2. Letter dated the 7th January, addressed to the Colonial Office, with reference to the policy to be pursued by the Board in connection with the projected American Pacific cable. As regards establishing a Maintenance and Benewal Fund, I think the Government will concur with me in agreeing with the proposal made by the Chairman of the Board, and also with the suggestion made by him to the effect that the amount of the fund should in the first instance be fixed at £25,000 per annum. With regard to the policy which it will be expedient to adopt in connection with the new submarine cable to be laid from San Francisco to Honolulu, I shall be glad if the Government would give the question their careful consideration, and communicate to me as soon as possible their views in respect thereto. I would only here say that, taking the matter into consideration from a practical point of view, the fact that a cable between Honolulu and Fanning Island would provide an alternative route in case of the working of the Pacific cable being interrupted is one that should have due weight in determining the question at issue. As Mr. C. H. Beynolds, the Board's Manager, will be visiting New Zealand, you will have the opportunity of conferring with him on these and other matters connected with the Pacific cable. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

Enclosure 1 in No. 43. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Secretary to the Treasury, London. The Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., Sir,— 17th December, 1901. In preparing the estimates for the working-expenses and maintenance of the Pacific cable, I have the honour to state that I should be glad of the opinion of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury as to the manner in which the maintenance and renewal of the cable should be charged.