P.—B

22

Enclosure 5 in No. 31. The Assistant Secretary to the Treasury, London, to the Chairman, Pacific (.'able Board, London. Sir, — Treasury Chambers, London, 4th January, 1915. With reference to your letter of the 13th November last [not, printed] I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to transmit herewith for your 'information a copy of a letter from the Colonial Office dated the 20th November, and of their reply of even date [not printed], on the subject of the terminal rates charged by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia. I have, &c, T. L. Heath. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, 27 Queen Anne's Chambers, London S.W.

Sub-enclosure 1 to Enclosure 5 in No. 31. The Assistant Under-Secretary, Colonial Office, London, to the Secretary to the Treasury, London. Sir, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, London, 20th November, 1914. With reference to the letter from this Department of the Bth May last [not printed], I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt, to request you to inform the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury that he has received from the Pacific Cable Board a memorandum dated the 11th instant on the question of the terminal rates on cable messages charged by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is understood that a copy of the memorandum has also been sent to the Treasury. 2. Mr. Harcourt proposes, with their Lordships' concurrence, to forward copies of the memorandum to the, Governors-General of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia and to the Governor of New Zealand, and to express the hope of His Majesty's Government that the Commonwealth Government will see their way to accept the suggested reduction of the terminal rate from sd. to 2d., so that a corresponding reduction may be made in the rate charged to the public. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Treasury, London. '■ Henry Lambert. [Treasury concurred under date 4th January, 1915, and papers were sent by the Colonial Office to the Pacific Cable Board on the 12th January. |

Sub-enclosure 1 in No. 31. [See No. 28.]

Sub-enclosure 2 in No. 31. [See No. 29].

Sub-enclosure 3 in No. 31. The Right Hon. the Skcretary of State for the Colonies to Their Excellencies the GovernorsGeneral of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia. (Telegram.) London, sth January, 1915. Your despatch of 19th June [12th October]: His Majesty's Government have considered further memorandum by Pacific Cable Board on terminal rates, copies of which were communicated to Postmaster- General and Department of External Affairs in High Commissioner's letters of 12th November | and 20th November]. They hope that Commonwealth Government will be able to accept suggested reduction of terminal rate from sd. to 2d., so that ordinary rate charged to the public may be reduced from 3s. to 2s. Bd. per word in the case of Australia as well as New Zealand as from Ist April next, and have so informed Commonwealth Government.

Sub-enclosure 4 in No. 31. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Royal Highness the GovernorGenkral of Canada. Sir, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, sth January, 1915. With reference to my telegram of to-day, I have the honour to transmit to Your Royal Highness, for record, copies of the memorandum by the Pacific Cable Board on the subject of the terminal rates in Australia and New Zealand [sec sub-enclosure to enclosure I in No. 27].