CHEAPER CABLE RATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 29

CHEAPER CABLE RATES.

THE COMMONWEALTH AND PENNY POSTAGE.

CONCESSION TO NEW ZEALAND LETTERS.

THE PACIFIC CABLE NOW OPEN. As was. stated in our last week's issue. Sir J. G. AVard, the Acting-Premier, marie an offer to the Commonwealth Postmastergeneral to adopt a terminal rate on cable messages in New Zealand of id per word provided the Commonwealth agreed to accept and deliver New Zealand lettero bearing the penny postage of this colony. Yesterday Sir Joseph received the following cable from Mr Drake: — '* I accept your proposal for New Zealand halfpenny terminal . rate, Australian traffic, Pacific cable, and agree to accept your letters prepaid penny rate, Government having agreed to accept such letters from all parts of the British Empire.J. tr: Drakk, Postmaster-general, Melbourne." Sir J. G. AVard replied as follows: — "Your cable ,in reference to halfpenny terminal rate received. I htartrly congratulate you upon decision to admit letters at penny rate from New Zealand and all partts British Empire into Commonwealth of Australia. It is a great postal movement in a forward direction, and will give universal satisfaction to all countries affected. The halfpenny terminal rates will be gazetted for the New Zealand terminal traffic at once."' Sir J. G. Ward forwarded the following circular telegram to mayors, chairmen of county councils and chambers of commerce, and leading men throughout the colony: — '• Very pleased to be able to inform you that, in response to the representation made by me, the Federal Government of Australia has to-day agreed to allow New Zealand letters to be admitted to the Commonwealth at the penny rate. Thus news, I am sure, will be received with satisfaction by you, as Australia was the only British country which so far refused to agree to New Zealand's universal penny po.-tage. — A. G. Waku." The following reply was forwarded by his Worship the Mayor of Dunedin: — " Thankii for message. Your successful negotiations with Commonwealth must be very gratifying to yourbelf. and concessions granted will be appreciated by New Zealand public. — Dexxihtox, Mayor."