77

A.—2

Berlin Radio-telegraph Convention. Article 10. The total charge for radio-telegrams comprises :— (1.) The charge proper to the transmission oversea, viz. : (a) The " coast charge," which belongs to the coast station ; (b) the " ship charge," which belongs to the ship station. (2.) The charge for transmission over the lines of the telegraph system, calculated according to the general rules. The rate of the coast charge is subject to the approval of the Government to whose authority the coast station is subject, and the rate of the ship charge to the approval of the Government whose flag the ship flies. Each of these two charges shall be fixed according to a tariff per word pure and simple, with the option of fixing a minimum charge per telegram, on the basis of an equitable remuneration for the radio-telegraphic work. Each of these charges must not exceed a maximum to be fixed by the high contracting parties. $3 Nevertheless, each of the high contracting parties has the right to authorize charges exceeding this maximum in the case of stations of a range exceeding 800 kilometers, or of stations which are exceptionally costly by reason of the material conditions of their installation and working. As regards radio-telegrams originating in or destined for a country with whose coast stations they are directly exchanged, the high contracting parties shall acquaint one another mutually with the charges applicable to transmission over the lines of their telegraph systems. The charges shall be those which follow from the principle that the coast station is to be regarded as the station of origin or of destination.

Berlin Conference. [Extract from the page 152 of the Process Verbaux (English translation).] Mr. Babington Smith explained the tenour of amendment 39, which contemplated two cases— (1) Stations situated in countries in which the installation and working were very costly ; (2) longdistance stations, which required great power, costly appliances, an extended network of antennae, skilful operators, &c. On these grounds it would be desirable not to limit the charges of long-distance stations by an insufficient maximum. M. Gaschard asked if " long-distance stations " were those which used a wave exceeding 1,600 m. Mr. Babington Smith considered that long-distance stations could be defined better according to their normal range than according to their wave-length. If a limit were desired, he suggested one of 700 km. M. Sydow attached value to the fixing of a limit. Seeing that Mr. Babington Smith had declared that this limit contemplated reception by sound, he considered the limit of 700 too low, and proposed 1,000 km. The mean range would be the range notified to the international bureau within which, under normal conditions, day and night, the reception of messages might be anticipated. After further discussion the compromise, proposed by M. Colombo, of fixing the limit at 800 km. was accepted by both Germany and England. The committee fixed the limit at 800 km. Berlin Conference. [Extract from Proces Verbaux (English translation).] No. 39. — Amendment to the Regulations proposed by the British Delegation. Regulation XI. —To add the following paragraph : " Each Government has the right to authorize charges exceeding this maximum in the case of long-distance stations or of stations which are exceptionally costly by reason of the material conditions of their installation and working." No. 85. New Zealand, No. 298. My Lord,— Downing Street, 25th August, 1911. With reference to previous correspondence, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of the agreement between the United. Kingdom and the United States of America for the settlement of various pecuniary claims outstanding between the two Governments, together with the first schedule of claims and submission thereof. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

Berlin Conference. [Extract from Process Verbaux (English translation).] No. 39. — Amendment to the Regulations proposed by the British Delegation. Regulation XI. —To add the following paragraph : " Bach Government has the right to authorize charges exceeding this maximum in the case of long-distance stations or of stations which are exceptionally costly by reason of the material conditions of their installation and working."

No. 85. New Zealand, No. 298. My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th August, 1911. With reference to previous correspondence, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of the agreement between the United. Kingdom and the United States of America for the settlement of various pecuniary claims outstanding between the two Governments, together with the first schedule of claims and submission thereof. I have, &c, L. HARCOUET. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.