F.—B

62

The following shall be the charges (inclusive of terminal rates) for cable telegrams from New Zealand to the places specified :—

No. 139. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th April, 1902. Re rates: I note amended Press rates, and that only applied to Pacific cable. Begret difficulty re our international messages. Unless there is reduction we shall have to confine international traffic, except Government, to Eastern Extension Company's cables. My Minister understood reduced terminal rates New Zealand-Australian traffic applied to both routes. This, too, was view of Mr. Beynolds who strongly favoured uniformity both routes, and was against any cutting. If you intend enforce penny a word each State on our messages vid Eastern Company's cables, important you advise me forthwith, but hope rate will stand.

No. 140. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster - General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) - Wellington, Ist May, 1902. Begret troubling you, but urgent we should know at once your terminal rate our international messages vid Pacific cable.

No. 141. The Secbetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, Ist May, 1902. Your wire to-day : Will advise fully soon as decision is arrived at.

No. 142. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secbetaey, Postmaster - General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth May, 1902. How are you treating New Zealand messages to and from the Commonwealth by Eastern Extension Company's cables? Company just informed me that your reduced terminal rate is not applied to traffic passing over its cables. This is contrary to Sir Joseph Ward's understanding. He concluded that the reduced terminal rate would be applied to all messages, irrespective of route. Our rates fixed accordingly. Company quotes against your action International Telegraph Convention Begulation No. 27, and contends that terminal rate must be same by both routes.

No. 143. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secbetaey, Postmaster - General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth May, 1902. Hope you are now able definitely reply re rate our international messages vid Pacific.

No. 144. The Secbetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 6th May, 1902. Your wire of sth instant re New Zealand messages to and from Commonwealth : Those over Eastern Extension reduced by a halfpenny, consequence reduction of your rate, otherwise rates by

To Ordinary Telegrams, each Word. Government Telegrams, each Word. New South Wales Victoria Queensland, including Thursday Island ... South Australian (except offices on overland lines) Tasmania Western Australia Norfolk Island Fiji £ s. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 d. 54 3 8 £ S. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 d 3| 3* Si 3i 2 6