P.—B.

No. 36. The Sbokbtary, General Post Office, "Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd December, 1902. Am disappointed to learn that reduction in Tasmanian cable rate advised in your telegram of sixteenth October, subsequently confirmed by letter bearing same date, is now held to apply to Commonwealth only. Your advice, otherwise unnecessary, was therefore regarded as indicating the inclusion of New Zealand in arrangement. I will be glad to learn, therefore, that reported exclusion of this colony is incorrect.

No. 37. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 3rd December, 1902. Youk wire second instant re reduced Tasmanian cable rate : Question asked by Pacific cable authorities understood to refer to international traffic generally, as this office was at the time in communication with them on that subject. Although New Zealand traffic is actually international so far as Commonwealth is concerned, there is no intention to exclude New Zealand from the reduced rate for the present, and our officers are being instructed accordingly.

No. 38. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless .Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 4th December, 1902. Following just received from Mr. Scott : " Your inquiry through Brough, Brisbane, re application of halfpenny rate on Tasmanian business was understood to refer to international messages concerning rate on which to Tasmania we were then in communication with your Board. My reply of first instant: The reduced halfpenny rate applies for the present to New Zealand business under special arrangement."

PACIFIC CABLE.

ACT, GONSTEUGTION, FINANCE, ETC.

No. 39. The Agent-Genesal to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 18th April, 1902. Sir, — Pacific Gable. I beg herewith to enciose copy received this day of cablegram [not printed] forwarded by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General and Governors of the Dominion of Canada, Australian Commonwealth, and New Zealand with reference to the arrangements which should be made for traffic in case of interruptions. I have this day cabled to you [No. 92, F.-8, 1902] that I have been informed that Lord Kelvin and others believe that telegraphic communication could be worked between Fanning Island and Honolulu by wireless telegraphy. In any case, the whole question requires careful consideration. There is no necessity for haste in corning to a decision. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. W. P. Reeves.

No. 40. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 10th May, 1902. Report of Committee on Gable Communications. (Memorandum.) I beg to enclose herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, a copy of the first and second reports [not printed] of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Cable Communications. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves,

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