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to daily letter-telegrams, except that the latter are subject to a delay of fortyeight hours in transmission, and that the only special services that may be sent in connection with such messages are reply-paid and paid service telegrams inquiring into the correctness of or rectifying any message. The popularity of these messages is indicated by the fact that during the seven months since September, 1923, nearly twelve thousand daily letter-telegrams have been lodged in the Dominion. NIGHT LETTER-TELEGRAMS. The removing of the restrictions in connection with night letter-telegrams had the effect of increasing the use made of this facility. PROPOSED NIGHT LETTER-TELEGRAMS TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. It was decided to introduce, from the Ist May. 1924, a system of night lettertelegrams between New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Australia. The rate fixed was 3s. for a message of twenty words or less, and 2d. for each word in excess of twenty words. The telegrams are transmitted on the day of lodgment, and are delivered by post, from the office of destination, on the following morning. POSTAL CONGRESS. Mr. A. T. Markman, Secretary of the Department, was appointed to represent the Dominion at the Postal Union Congress, which opened at Stockholm in July, 1924. In addition to taking part in the Congress, at which the general regulations governing the working of the postal business of the world will be considered, Mr. Markman will examine the methods adopted by other postal and telegraph administrations. It is expected that any improvements noticed by him will be the subject of a report to the Government. As the post and telegraph business of New Zealand is a monopoly of the Government, the importance of sending an executive officer abroad to compare the methods in operation in the Dominion with those of other countries is readily apparent. It is frequently stated that the Post and Telegraph system in New Zealand is equal to any in the world ; but comparison by expert officers of the Department is necessary from time to time with the objects of ascertaining any defects in our methods and acquiring first-hand knowledge of successful innovations in other countries. IMPERIAL RADIO COMMUNICATION. On account of the delays that have occurred in formulating an Imperial radio policy, it has not yet been possible to take definite action in the direction of erecting in New Zealand a high-power long-distance radio-station capable of world-wide communication. Now that a decision has been reached to erect in the United Kingdom high-power stations capable of Empire-wide communication, and, in addition, to try out the possibilities of the new " beam " system, the way has been cleared for this Dominion to decide upon the lines of development best calculated to meet its requirements ; and the departmental experts are now engaged in preparing a suitable scheme for consideration by Government. DETAILS OF REVENUE, ETC. Matters of detail with reference to the financial operations and business of the Department will be found at length in the statement and tables which follow. I have the honour to be Your Excellency's most obedient servant, J. G. Coates, Postmaster-General. General Post Office, Wellington, 20th August, 1924.

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