F.—3.

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reference thereto, to request you to inform the Postmaster-General that the New Zealand Government have this day been requested by cable to defer action with regard to the Canadian proposal pending the decision of the Imperial Post Office as regards the general question of weight of printed matter and postage of newspapers, as indicated in your letter under reply. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. Walter Kennaway.

No. 11. Extract from the Post and Telegraph Official Circular, Ist July, 1903. From the Ist July, the maximum weight for each newspaper for transmission at Id. to the Australian Commonwealth will be 20 oz. This cancels the former rate to Queensland.

No. 12. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th August, 1903. Newspaper postage: Canada's proposal adopted prior receipt your cablegram sixth June. Now hope Imperial Post Office reduce.

No. 13. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 21st August, 1903. Referring to my letter of the 6th June last, I beg to transmit copy of further correspondence with the Colonial Office by which it will be seen that the Imperial Postmaster-General does not see his way to adopt the proposal of the Government to reduce the postage on newspapers to and from New Zealand, to Id. each paper, irrespective of weight. I am, &c, Walter Kennawat, The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. For the Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 13. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, S.W., Sir,— 15th July, 1903. Referring to your letter of the sth ultimo, relating to the possible increase in weight of printed matter transmissible both within and outside the United Kingdom for Id., as well as the question of reducing to Id. the postage on English.registered newspapers sent to the colonies, and to my reply of the 6th idem, I am directed by the Agent-General to inquire whether any decision has yet been given by the Postmaster-General in the matter, and if so whether a reply can now be given to the letter from this office to the Imperial Post Office of the 14th May last. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 2 in No. 13. The Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Agent-General. Sir,— Colonial Office, S.W., 21st July, 1903. In reply to your letter of the 15th instant, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to inform you that he has not yet received any further intimation from the General Post Office as to a decision having been arrived at on the question of a possible increase in weight of printed matter transmissible for Id., or a reduction in the postage on English registered newspapers sent to the colonies; but a further communication is being addressed by this Department to the Post-master-General on the subject. 1 am ! & c '> The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Bertram Cox.

Enclosure 3 in No. 13. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, S.W., Si ß _ 17th August, 1903. Referring to your letter of the sth June last and to my reply thereto of the 6th of that month, I am directed by the Agent-General to state that he has received a cablegram (dated the