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No. 36. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to Sir Sandford Fleming, Halifax. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd July, 1904. Colonial Office cannot get definite answer from Australia, and is therefore unable to fix date Our Agent-General has undertaken to communicate with you in time to enable you to attend.

No. 37. The Secretary, Australasian Federated Seamen's Union, Auckland, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Auckland Section of the Australasian Federated Seamen's Union, 31, Palmerston Sir, — Buildings, Queen Street, Auckland, 12th July, 1904. I have been instructed by the above union to convey to you the sincere thanks of the union for your expressions of opinion in connection with the replacing of Chinese stokers on the " Iris " by Europeans, and also your promise that New Zealand's representative on the Pacific Cable Board will be requested to support any action taken by the Federal Government. I would like to point out that, failing the immediate expulsion of the Chinese, as an alternative, the Board be requested to have them supplanted by a white crew on the termination of the present contract. I have, &c, Sir Joseph Ward, Postmaster-General, Wellington. J. K. Kneen, Secretary.

No. 38. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,--- Downing Street, 13th July, 1904. With reference to previous correspondence concerning the proposed Pacific Cable Conference, I have the 'honour to inform you that, as I understand that Sir W. Muloch cannot arrive in England this month, it is proposed to postpone the Conference until the first fortnight in November. 2. I am asking the Governor-General of Canada to ascertain whether that time would be convenient to Sir W. Muloch and Sir S. Fleming. I have, &c, Governor, Lord Plunket, X.C.V.0., &c. Alfred Lyttelton.

No. 39. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 18th July, 1904. Conference postponed till November.

No. 40. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 28th July, 1904. I have the honour to inform you of the receipt by telegram on the 18th instant of advice from the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board that the Pacific Cable Conference has been postponed till November next. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, For Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 41. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, Australasian Federated Seamen's Union, Auckland. General Post Office, Wellington, 28th July, 1904. Replacing Chinese Stokers on EM. Cable-steamer 'Iris " by a White Grew. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, referring to the above subject, and further suggesting on behalf of your union that failing the immediate expulsion of the Chinese, they be supplanted by a white crew on the termination of the present contract. In reply, I have to inform you that I am embodying the later suggestion in the representations which are being made to this colony's representative on the Pacific Cable Board. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. John K. Kneen, Esq., Secretary, Auckland Section Australasian Federated Seamen's Union, 31, Palmerston Buildings, Auckland.