F.—3.

Enclosure 2 in No. 24. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— 18th August, 1900. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he has this day received a cablegram from the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General for New Zealand, stating that New Zealand introduces universal penny postage on the Ist January next as a befitting commemoration of the commencement of the new century. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Waltee Kbnnaway.

Enclosure 3 in No. 24. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 18th August, 1900. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he has this day received a cablegram from the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General for New Zealand, stating that New Zealand introduces universal penny postage on the Ist January next as a befitting commemoration of the commencement of the new century, and instructing him to request the favour of your communicating this decision to the Postmaster-General, and also informing all colonies to the same effect. I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office. . Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 4 in No. 24. The Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Agent-General. Dear Mr. Kennaway,— Colonial Office, 18th August, 1900. The gratifying announcement contained in your letter of to-day as to New Zealand adopting penny postage refers, I suppose, only to adoption of the cheap rate in the case of those countries within the Empire which have joined the penny-post arrangement? I should be much obliged by an early line from you. Yours, &c, Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G. A. E. Collins.

Enclosure 5 in No. 24. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Colonial Office. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W.. Dear Mr. Collins,— 20th August, 1900. I have yours of Saturday. We have no further information with regard to the adoption of the penny postage by New Zealand than that contained in my official letter of that day. As it is referred to in the cablegram we received as " universal penny post," I am inclined to think that it is intended to extend it to all countries without distinction. Yours, &c, A. E. Collins, Esq. Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 6 in No. 24. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sic, — General Post Office, London, 23rd August, 1900. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, notifying that you have received a telegram from the Postmaster-General of New Zealand announcing the introduction of universal penny postage in that colony as from the Ist January next. In reply, I am to inform you that the Postmaster-General has received directly from Mr. Ward a telegram on this subject, to which he has sent a reply by cable, eliciting a rejoinder received on the 20th instant. Of these three telegrams copies are sent herewith. [Nos. 5, 8, 15.] It is clearly the desire of the New Zealand Government to institute in that colony from the Ist January next penny letter postage for the rest of the world ; and the Postmaster-General of the colony is in communication with the International Bureau at Berne with a view to secure the consent of the other parties to the Postal Union. So far as the adhesion of New Zealand to the scheme for penny postage within the British Empire is concerned, the Postmaster-General will at once lay the matter favourably before Her Majesty's Government. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Buxton Forman. P.S.—Since the above letter was written the Postmaster-General has received a letter from the Director-General of the Swiss Post Office, a copy of which is enclosed. From this it would seem that the New Zealand Post Office has sent its communication not directly to the International

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