A.—2

14

No. 11. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 17th July, 1905. In continuation of my predecessor's circular despatches of the 20th December, 1898, 15th February, Ist May, and 2nd September, 1899, 30th October and 29th November, 1900, and the 28th April, 1902, respecting the adoption of the Imperial penny-postage scheme by certain colonies, I have the honour to inform you that an arrangement has been concluded with the Government of Australia, under which the Commonwealth postal administration will admit without surcharge letters posted in the United Kingdom or any British colony or possession, postage on which has been prepaid at the rate of Id. per halfounce. The arrangement applies equally to British New Guinea, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island. 2. This reduction will not, however, at present apply to letters from Australia, postage on which to any part of the Empire will be at the rate of 2d. per half-ounce. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 12. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist August, 1905. With reference to my predecessor's circular despatch of the 27th March, 1902, forwarding a copy of an Order in Council giving effect to the Anglo-Belgian treaty of the 29th October, 1901, I have the honour to transmit to you for the consideration of your Ministers the accompanying copy of a note from the Belgian Minister at this Court to the Foreign Office, submitting the draft of an additional declaration which the Belgian Government propose to conclude to complete the treaty. 2. I shall be glad to learn at an early date whether your Government have any objection to offer to this proposal, and I Avould at the same time suggest that, in the event of their concurrence, a general assent to similar alterations which may be required in any other extradition treaties may be given. 3. A copy of the supplementary extradition treaty with Switzerland, to which allusion is made in Count Lalaing's note, was enclosed in my circular despatch of the 17th June last. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Monsieur lb Marquis,— Londres, le 13 Juillet, 1905. La question de l'extradition, par rapport aux colonies, est reglee en cc gui concerne la Grande Bretagne et la Belgique par I'article 14 de la Convention Anglo-Beige dv 29 Octobre, 1901, mais cet article ne stipule 4 et 5. 11 y a la une lacune que Gouvernement Beige desirerait voir combler, a Finstar de cc gui a etc fait recomment a cc point de vue special, par un accord entre la Grande Bretagne et la Suisse. En effet, une convention a etc signee le 29 Juin, 1904, entre la Royaume Uni de la Grande Bretagne et d'lrlande et la Suisse, aux fins de completer Particle 18 dv traite d'extradition Anglo-Suisse dv 26 Novembre, 1880, gui ne prevoyait pas de delai d'abord pour la production de la requete d'extradition en cas d'arrestation provisoire, ensuite pour la production de preuves supplementaires. Je suis done charge par le Gouvernement dv Roi de soumettre au Gouvernement de Sa Majeste Britannique un projet de declaration additionnelle au traite d'extradition Anglo-Beige dv 29 Octobre, 1901, projet que j'ai l'honneur de faire parvenir a Votre Seigneurie sous cc pli en la priant de bien vouloir l'examiner. Je saisis cette occasion de renouveler a Votre Seigneurie les assurances, &c. Monsieur le Marquis de Lansdowne, K.G., &c. Lalaing. Le Gouvernement de Sa Majeste le Roi dcs Beiges et le Gouvernement de Sa Majeste le Roi dv RoyaumeUni de la Grande Bretagne et d'lrlande, ayant juge necessaire de completer I'article 14 dv traite d'extradition entre la Belgique et la Grande Bretagne dv 29 Octobre, 1901, relatif a l'application aux colonies • et possessions etrangeres dcs deux Ftats hors d'Europe dcs stipulations dv traite, les soussignes, dument autorises a cet effet par leurs Gouvernements respectifs, sont convenus de cc gui suit: -V