F.—7

REDUCED MAGAZINE. PRINTED PAPERS, AND NEWSPAPER POSTAGE.

No. 16. Mr. R. B. Brett, London, to the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Wabd (at London). Sib,- 134 Fleet Street, London E.C., Ist May, 1911. In 1897 1 wrote to the late Mr. R. J. Seddon with reference to the cost of postage on colonial newspapers when posted from the London offices to any part of the United Kingdom. I also spoke to you about the same matter when you were in London on a subsequent occasion. Our then Postmaster-General, however, would do nothing in the direction of reducing the cost of postage. We represent several important New Zealand papers in London. Copies of the papers are sent to us in bulk from New Zealand. Many of these have to be posted from this office separately to subscribers and others in the United Kingdom, the cost being from Id. to 4d. per copy, according to weight; whilst papers that are printed and published in the United Kingdom are delivered for Jd. per copy up to 5 lb. in weight. A colonial newspaper can be sent from New Zealand to the United Kingdom for Id. ; and, if it has not been opened, it may be readdressed, and, if posted within twenty-four hours after receipt, delivered to any other part of the United Kingdom free of charge. But while a colonial newspaper can be sent from New Zealand to the United Kingdom for Id. per copy, or a batch of, say, sixty copies for 55., nevertheless, on our sending those sixty copies to different persons, the cost is Id. for a 4 oz. paper, and 4d. per copy for a 16 oz. paper—i.e., £1 for the sixty copies. Yet for a paper published in the United Kingdom sixty copies of a 16 oz. paper would cost only 2s. 6d., or Jd. per copy. The Postal authorities here will not allow a newspaper to pass through the post as such unless it has been registered at the G.P.O. at an annual fee of 55., but they stipulate that "it must be printed and published in the United Kingdom. ,T Why newspapers published in our dominions are barred 1 do not know, but 1 submit that a colonial newspaper should not cost more for postage in the United Kingdom than other newspapers. Herewith I enclose a card which may be of use, as it shows the cost of postages on various New Zealand papers. I trust that during your stay in London you will have an opportunity of bringing the subject of this letter before the Postal authorities here, and that colonial newspapers may shortly be placed on the same level as to postage-rates as the papers published in the United Kingdom. I have, &c, R. B. Brett. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., Hotel Cecil, London W.C. [P.O. 11/3477.]

No. 17. The Right Hon. Sir 3. G. Ward to Mr. Brett. Sir, — Hotel Cecil, London, Bth May, 1911. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the Ist instant, on the subject of the reduction of postage on colonial newspapers when posted from the London offices to the different parts of the United Kingdom, and note your representations on the matter. The question is, of course, entirely one for the consideration of the British Government, but a reduction of the present rates, in order to bring them into line with those prevailing for papers published in the United Kingdom, has my entire sympathy and support. 1 shall be glad to bring the matter under the notice of the Postal authorities here. I have, &c, R. B. Brett, Esq., 134 Fleet Street, London E.C. J. G. Ward.

No. 18. Mr. S. Stkrtton, Droitwich, to the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Wakd (at London). Sir, — Hampton House, Droitwich [undated]. Having five sons in New Zealand resident from twenty to twenty-five years, I am much interested in postage matters. I have been precluded sending Graphic illustrated and similar sized papers owing to exorbitant postage, whereas my sons are constantly sending me Auckland and other pictorial papers equally weighty for a penny. I have written recently to our PostmasterGeneral on the subject, and only yesterday received his reply [not printed], which I now beg to enclose to you, thinking that in your position and interest in all matters pertaining to New Zealand's greatly improving condition under your guidance you may like to have a few words with our Postmaster-General on the subject. I also beg to enclose you a recently published souvenir of our noted town. With respectful compliments, I have, &c, S. Stretton, M.R.C.S., J. P., Co. Worcester. The Right Hon. Sir J. G, Ward, London, [P.O. 11/3476.] .

7