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No. 7. Mi. .1. Hennikbb Hbaton, M.P., London, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, Ist October, 1908. Hennikeb Heaton desires convey cordial thanks New Zealand for helping forward cause of penny postage between Great Britain and United States of America now coming into force. [P.O. 08/ isgij No. 8. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to Ma. J. Hennikeb Beaton, M.P., London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd October, 1908. New Zealand is proud that her humble efforts in cause of universal penny postage, which is dear to her, have been of assistance in promoting scheme between tin- two greatest English-speaking countries of the world. [P.O. 08/1681.] No. !>. The Right Hon. the Secretary of Statu tob the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th October, 1908. With reference to your telegram of the Ist September [31st August], I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers the accompanying copy of correspondence with His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, front which it appears that the Government of the United States are not at the present moment prepared to accept a bilateral a rangemenl for postage at the rate of 2 cents between the United States and New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &o. Crewe. [P.O. 08/1621] Knclosure 1 in No. 9. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to Mr. Howard", Councillor of Embassy, Washington. (Telegram.) London, 31st August, 1908. Penny postage with United States. Please inquire of United States Government whether, in view of recent agreement with United Kingdom to take effect on October Ist, they would be prepared, if New Zealand Government so desire, to agree to a bilateral arrangement for penny postage between that colony and United States in lieu of unilateral arrangement of November Ist, 190(>. Knclosure 2 in No. 9. The British Ambassador at Washington to the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Sir, — British Embassy, Manchester, Mass., 30th September, 1908. On receipt of your telegram, Mr. Howard addressed a note to the State Department asking whether the United States Government would, in view of the recent agreement with Great Britain, be disposed to agree to a bilateral arrangement for postage at the rate of 2 cents (Id.) between this country and New Zealand. I have to-day received a reply to my communication from the Acting Secretary of State informing me thatCthe Postmaster-General is unable at the present time to favourably consider this proposed reduction in theipostage rate. 1 have, Arc. The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., &c. James Bryce.