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No. 31. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager. Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 7th November, 1913. In reference to the proposal made by your company that, on account of questions arising from the strike disturbances, the expired contract for the San Francisco mail-service be extended at the same intervals and on the same terms until the 31st March next, thus enabling you to confirm arrangements made for space allotted during the butter season, I have the honour to inform you that the Postmaster-General agrees to the proposal. The arrangement will not in any way affect the making of a new contract before the 31st March next if desired. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Delivered at Wellington; acknowledged same date.]

No. 32. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 13th November, 1913. In reference to the suggestion of the deputation from your Chamber which waited upon the Postmaster-General on the 24th ultimo, that the question of the renewal of the contract for the San Francisco mail-service should be considered by a conference consisting of the Post-master-General, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, and representatives of the Union Steam Ship Company and the Chamber of Commerce, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to inform you that he took an early opportunity of communicating in the matter with the Union Steam Ship Company, and that, owing to the strike, it is not possible to arrange for a conference at present. To enable the company to confirm arrangements made for space allotted during the butter season the contract which expired last month has been extended at the same intervals and on the same terms until the end of March next. This arrangement will not in any way affect the making of a new contract before the end of the extended term, if desired. The Minister of Industries and Commerce has been notified of the representations of your Chamber. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, Secretary. The Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. [Acknowledged, 14th November, 1913.]

No. 33. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — Postmaster-General's Office, Wellington, 23rd February, 1914. In reference to our recent conversation on the subject of the renewal of the New Zealand - San Francisco steamer service, I have the honour to inform you that the Right Hon. the Prime Minister and myself propose to confer with representatives of your of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and of the Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce, in the Prime Minister's room, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, at 11 a.m. on the 27th instant. I should be glad if you would arrange for a representative of your company to be present. I have, <ks.. R. Heaton Rhodes, Postmaster-General. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 34. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. Sir, — Postmaster-General's Office, Wellington, 23rd February, 1914. In reference to the representations made by your Chamber in October last on the subject of the proposed extension of the New Zealand - San Francisco mail-service contract, I have the honour to inform you that the proposed conference of the Right Hon. the Prime Minister and myself with representatives of your Chamber, of the Union Steam Ship Company, and of the Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce will be held in the Prime Minister's , room, Parliament Buildings, on the 27th instant, at 11 a.m. I should be glad if you would arrange for two representatives of your Chamber to be present. I have, &c, R. Heaton Rhodes, Postmaster-General. The Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington.