Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1903 Session I | UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (PAPERS RELATING TO).

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1903. NEW ZEALAND.

UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. [Extract from Universal Postal Union Convention, dated Washington, 15th June, 1897.] Article XXI. 1. The present Convention does not involve alteration in the legislation of any country as regards anything which is not provided for by the stipulations contained in this Convention. 2. It does not restrict the right of the contracting parties to maintain and to conclude treaties, as well as to maintain and establish more restricted unions, with a view to the reduction of postagerates, or to any other improvement of postal relations.

No. 2. [Extraot from Report of London Conference on Postage within the British Empire.] Second Day. — Tuesday, sth July, 1898. The minutes of the last meeting having been read by the Secretary and confirmed, Mr. Mulock proposed, " That it is advisable, in the interests of the British Empire, that the rate of postage for the conveyance of letters (other than inland letters) throughout the entire extent of the Empire be reduced from the present rate of per half-ounce to Id." ***** * Sir David Tennant, in seconding the proposal, &c.

No. 8. [Extract from Parliamentary Debates, No. 2, 27th June, 1900, page 90.] House of Bepbesentatives. Universal Penny Postage. Mr. Ward (Postmaster-General) said the Government had shown their earnest desire in this matter by having placed upon the statute-book legislation to give effect when the time was opportune to this great reform. But the Government of the country had to recognise that which was so important in all matters—namely, the financial aspect of every reform. As honourable members knew, the country had recently received concessions computed by the Eailway officers to the extent of £75,000 on the railways. He was strongly in favour of the penny post, but he thought the right course, as they all desired to see this reform effected, was to wait a reasonable time in order that they might see how far the concessions on the railways were going to be reimbursed. . . .

No. 4. [Extract from the Financial Statement of the Colonial Treasurer, the Eight Hon. R. J. Seddon, 17th August, 1900.] Penny Postage. Parliament, during the session of 1891, passed an Act under which a penny postage within the colony could be established. From that time until the present, owing to the demand upon our funds, we have not been able to give to the public the boon such a cheap rate of postage would confer. It is pleasing to be able to announce that, on and after the Ist day of January, 1901, a penny-postage system will be established within and without the colony. This colony will therefore be the first in Australasia to have a universal penny postage. I estimate that the loss of revenue by so doing will be about £80,000 per annum ; but this will only be of a temporary nature, for there will be an increase in the correspondence which will in time bring up the revenue to the original level. The loss to the revenue during the unexpired portion of the present financial year will be about £20,000.

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No. 5. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington, to the Eight Hon. the Postmasteb-Genekal, London. (Telegram.) ■ Wellington, 17th August, 1900. New Zealand introduces universal penny post first January, befitting commemoration new century. Confident your reciprocating, I send greeting on forging another link in chain of Empire. [Telegrams of same text sent to the Hons. the Postmasters-General, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Ottawa, Sydney; the Postmasters-General, Adelaide, Cape Town, Colombo, Hongkong, Natal, Newfoundland, Singapore; and the Director-General of Posts, Calcutta.]

No. 6. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genekal, Washington. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th August, 1900. New Zealand introduces universal penny post first January, befitting commemoration new century. Hope you reciprocate.

No. 7. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to Mr. J. Henniker Heaton, M.P., London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th August, 1900. Geeat oleasure informing you New Zealand introduces universal penny post first. January, befitting reform commemoration new century, and adding another link to chain of Empire.

No. 8. The Right Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, London, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 17th August, 1900. Thanks for kindly telegram. Before consulting Government I would ask, Is intention universal or Imperial penny postage ? If Imperial, are arrangements with Australia mature ? If universal, foreign countries would expect to be consulted.

No. 9. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th August, 1900. New Zealand introduces universal penny post first January, befitting commemoration of new century. Advise Imperial Post Office, and ask that all colonies be informed.

No. 10. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Dieectob-Genebal of Posts, Berne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th August, 1900. New Zealand introduces universal penny post first January, befitting commemoration new century. Hope for your favourable consideration.

No. 11. The Postmastek-Geneeal, Pietermaritzburg, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Pietermaritzburg, 18th August, 1900. Glad to hear you are introducing universal penny post, which, of course, Natal will reciprocate. We cordially congratulate you on this forward step.

No. 12. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Hobart, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Hobart, 18th August, 1900. Congbatulate you on penny-postal-rate policy. Wish we could reciprocate, but as one.of Commonwealth States Tasmania's future postal rates will be controlled by Federal Post Office.

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No. 13. The Hon. the Pobtmastbe-Genbeal, Washington, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. Office of the Postmaster-General, Post Office Department, Washington, D.C., Sib,— 18th August, 1900. In acknowledging the receipt of your telegram of the 17th instant in the words following —viz., "New Zealand introduces universal penny post first January, befitting commemoration new century. Hope you reciprocate " —permit me to congratulate your Administration upon its action, which, it seems to me, is a step forward in the march of progress now being made by the postal administrations of the world. I have, &c, G. Emoey Smith. The Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand.

No. 14. The Postmasteb-Geheeal, Singapore, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington. Sib, — General Post Office, Singapore, 19th August, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram in the following words : " New Zealand introduces universal penny postage first January, befitting commemoration new century. Confident your reciprocating, I send greeting on forging another link in chain of Empire." I congratulate your Administration on the adoption of the proposed measure, and cordially reciprocate the sentiments expressed by you. This colony , will gladly extend penny postage to letters for New Zealand from the date mentioned. I have, &c, N. Tbotteb, The Hon. the Postmaster-General of New Zealand. Postmaster-General.

No. 15. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington, to the Eight Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th August, 1900. Univeesal, not Imperial. No arrangement Australia, but hope fall in. Assume you reciprocate. New Zealand outside federated Australia. Berne advised, asked consider favourably.

No. 16. The Dieectoe-Geneeal of Posts, Simla, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Simla, 20th August, 1900. Heabty congratulations on New Zealand joining Imperial penny postage. India fully prepared reciprocate. No link more enduring than cheapened communication by post.

No. 17. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Brisbane, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Brisbane, 20th August, 1900. Youb wire seventeenth, penny post: Matter so far this colony concerned one for consideration Federal Government.

No. 18. [Jjitraot from Parliamentary Debates, No. 17, 21st August, 1900, page 109.] House op Eepbesentatives. Penny Postal Bate. Mr. Wabd (Postmaster-General) said the establishment of penny postage from the Ist January next applied to all places outside the colony that would agree to our sending letters at Id., as well as within the colony. There appeared to be some slight misapprehension in the minds of some people concerning the position. He would like to say that the legislation passed in 1891 applied to within the colony only, as under the Postal Act authority existed for the Governor in Council to vary postage-rates beyond the colony, and the penny postage could be put into operation beyond the colony whenever the Government elected to do so. The legislation of that year, therefore, applied to within the colony only. What the Government intended to do now, however, was to establish on the Ist January next a penny postage within the Imperial dominions, and to all places which would allow the colony to send letters to them at the penny rate. For the information of the House he might say the Postmaster-General, London, had cabled to him asking if it was intended to adopt Imperial penny postage, and he replied that it was intended to do so. Again, the Postmaster-General of Pietermaritzburg had telegraphed his very hearty congratulations, and

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also intimated that Natal would gladly reciprocate; while only that day he had received from Simla, the summer residence of the Governor-General in India, the following message : " Hearty congratulations on New Zealand joining Imperial penny postage. India fully prepared reciprocate. No link more enduring than cheapened communication by post. —A. U. Fanshawe." Mr. Fanshawe was, he understood, a representative of the Government of the country. The honourable member would therefore see the extent of the boon it was proposed to grant to the colony after the Ist January next.

No. 19. The.Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 21st August, 1900. Eβ your cable 17th instant: In view of early approach of federation, the question of universal penny postage is not one for one or two colonies to settle. The question of penny postage throughout Australia and its extension to New Zealand will, of course, be one of the matters for consideration at the preliminary Conference proposed to be held.

No. 20. The Assistant Postmastee-Geneeal, Hongkong, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) • Hongkong, 22nd August, 1900. Hongkong reciprocates your greeting, and welcomes New Zealand on her adoption Imperial penny rate most; heartily.

No. 21. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Cape Town, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Cape Town, 23rd August, 1900. Imperial penny postage : Hearty congratulations. Will reduce concurrently.

No. 22. The Hon. the Postmastek - General, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmastee - Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 23rd August, 1900. Congratulate you cordially on determination to establish penny post. Victorian Government at present considering proposal.

No. 23. The Eight Hon. the Seceetaby of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Govbenoe. (Telegram.) London, 24th August, 1900. Agent-Geneeal informs me that your Ministers propose universal penny postage Ist January. Highly appreciate spirit of proposal, but presume that it will apply only to United Kingdom, India, and colonies having adopted penny postage; otherwise Postal Union Convention infringed. Telegraph reply.

No. 24. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 24th August, 1900. I beg herewith to transmit copy of correspondence relating to the adoption by New Zealand of universal penny post, and, in reference thereto, to state that, in accordance with the suggestion of the General Post Office, I am requesting the Director-General of the Swiss Post Office to transfer the Hon. J. G. Ward"s cablegram, which he has received, to the Director of the International Bureau of the Postal Union. I have, &c, Walter Kennaway, For the Agent-General for New Zealand. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

[For Enclosure 1, see No. 9.]

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Enclosure 2 in No. 24. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— 18th August, 1900. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he has this day received a cablegram from the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General for New Zealand, stating that New Zealand introduces universal penny postage on the Ist January next as a befitting commemoration of the commencement of the new century. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Waltee Kbnnaway.

Enclosure 3 in No. 24. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 18th August, 1900. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he has this day received a cablegram from the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General for New Zealand, stating that New Zealand introduces universal penny postage on the Ist January next as a befitting commemoration of the commencement of the new century, and instructing him to request the favour of your communicating this decision to the Postmaster-General, and also informing all colonies to the same effect. I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office. . Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 4 in No. 24. The Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Agent-General. Dear Mr. Kennaway,— Colonial Office, 18th August, 1900. The gratifying announcement contained in your letter of to-day as to New Zealand adopting penny postage refers, I suppose, only to adoption of the cheap rate in the case of those countries within the Empire which have joined the penny-post arrangement? I should be much obliged by an early line from you. Yours, &c, Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G. A. E. Collins.

Enclosure 5 in No. 24. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Colonial Office. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W.. Dear Mr. Collins,— 20th August, 1900. I have yours of Saturday. We have no further information with regard to the adoption of the penny postage by New Zealand than that contained in my official letter of that day. As it is referred to in the cablegram we received as " universal penny post," I am inclined to think that it is intended to extend it to all countries without distinction. Yours, &c, A. E. Collins, Esq. Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 6 in No. 24. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sic, — General Post Office, London, 23rd August, 1900. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, notifying that you have received a telegram from the Postmaster-General of New Zealand announcing the introduction of universal penny postage in that colony as from the Ist January next. In reply, I am to inform you that the Postmaster-General has received directly from Mr. Ward a telegram on this subject, to which he has sent a reply by cable, eliciting a rejoinder received on the 20th instant. Of these three telegrams copies are sent herewith. [Nos. 5, 8, 15.] It is clearly the desire of the New Zealand Government to institute in that colony from the Ist January next penny letter postage for the rest of the world ; and the Postmaster-General of the colony is in communication with the International Bureau at Berne with a view to secure the consent of the other parties to the Postal Union. So far as the adhesion of New Zealand to the scheme for penny postage within the British Empire is concerned, the Postmaster-General will at once lay the matter favourably before Her Majesty's Government. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Buxton Forman. P.S.—Since the above letter was written the Postmaster-General has received a letter from the Director-General of the Swiss Post Office, a copy of which is enclosed. From this it would seem that the New Zealand Post Office has sent its communication not directly to the International

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Bureau of the Postal Union, but to the Swiss Post Office, presumably for transmission to the Bureau. In these circumstances you will probably think it right to request the Director-General of that office to transfer the telegram he has received to the Director of the International Bureau.

Sub-enclosure to Enclosure 6 in No. 24. The Dieectob-Genbkal of Swiss Posts, Berne, to the General Post Office, London. Direction Generale dcs Postes Suisses, Monsieur le Directeur-General, — Berne, le 20 Aout, 1900. J'ai l'honneur de vous informer que je viens de reoevoir le telegramme suivant de Wellington (Nouvelle-Zelande), savoir:— "Director-General Posts, Berne. " New Zealand introduces universal penny post Ist January, befitting commemoration new century. Hope for your favourable consideration. " J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General." J'ai tout lieu de supposer que c'est par erreur que cc t6legramme ma etc adresse, aussi je vous prie de bien vouloir si possible me renseigner et, le cas 6cheant, adresser. les communications voulues a l'office de la Nouvelle-Zelande. Veuillez agreer, &c, General Post Office, London. Lutz, Directeur-Gene"ral.

No. 25. The Postmaster-General and Director of Telegraphs, Colombo, to the Hon. the Post-master-General, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Colombo, 24th August, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 17th instant, relative to the reduction to Id. the half-ounce of the postage on letters from New Zealand, and to inform you that the new rate will be introduced in Ceylon from the Ist January, 1901, as proposed. I presume that the adoption of the penny-postage scheme by your colony will be duly notified to this office by the British Post Office. I am, &c, W. C. Macrbady, For Postmaster-General and Director of Telegraphs. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 26. The Postmaster-General, Perth, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Perth, 28th August, 1900. In acknowledging the receipt of your Minister's telegram of the 17th instant, notifying that New Zealand intended on the Ist January next to introduce universal penny postage, I beg to inform you that, as Western Australia has, in common with the other colonies of Australia, already rejected the universal-penny-postage proposal, I fear I am unable to reciprocate the views expressed in the message above alluded to, and therefore, until the question is definitely decided by the Federal Government, this Department will either be unable to deliver letters received here from New Zealand unless fully prepaid at the rate of 2d. per half-ounce, or else surcharge the deficiency with the customary fine to the addressees. Probably the former course will be adopted. I have, &c, B. A. Sholl, Postmaster-General and General Superintendent of Telegraphs. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 27. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmasteh-Genbral, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th August, 1900. 1 have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 18th instant, informing you that this colony would introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next, and to thank you for your congratulatory telegram in reply. I gather from cable messages from the Postmasters-General of some of the other Australian colonies that the question of reciprocity in this matter is considered to be one for the attention of the Federal Government; but I trust it will be possible for some decision to be come to by the Conference, which it is understood is to meet presently to make recommendations in respect of the fusing of the postal services in Australia, whereby penny postage may be brought into operation between New Zealand and the Commonwealth at the beginning of the new century. I am pleased to be able to inform you that most appreciative telegrams have been received from the Postmasters-General, London and many of the principal colonies beyond Australia. I venture to

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express the hope that the first congratulations which I am privileged to offer the Federal Post-master-General may be upon the adhesion of the Commonwealth to the Imperial penny-postage agreement—an adhesion which will put the coping-stone on a reform the ultimate effect of which will be more far-reaching than can at present be conceived. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Postmaster-General. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Melbourne. [Letters of same text sent to the Postmasters-General, Adelaide and Perth.]

No. 28. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Brisbane. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 18th instant, informing you that this colony would introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next, and to thank you for your telegram in reply. I note that the question of reciprocity in this matter is considered to be one for the attention of the Federal Government; but I trust it will be possible for some decision to be come to by the Conference, which it is understood is to meet presently to make recommendations in respect to the fusing of the postal services in Australia, whereby penny postage may be brought into operation between New Zealand and the Commonwealth at the beginning of the new century. I am pleased to be able to inform you that most appreciative telegrams have been received from the Postmasters-General, London and many of the principal colonies beyond Australia. I venture to express the hope that the first congratulations which I am privileged to offer the Federal Postmaster-General may be upon the adhesion of the Commonwealth to the Imperial penny-postage agreement —an adhesion which will put the coping-stone on a reform the ultimate effect of which will be more far-reaching than can at present be conceived. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Brisbane. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. [A letter of same text sent to the Hons. the Postmasters-General, Hobarc and Sydney.]

No. 29. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Cape Town. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 18th instant, informing you that this colony would introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next, and to thank you for your congratulatory telegram in reply. No doubt the Postmaster-General, London, will communicate with you in regard to the completion of any necessary arrangements, but it gave me much pleasure to convey to you the earliest possible intimation of the intentions of this colony. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Cape Town. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. [Letters of same text sent to the Postmasters-General, Hongkong and Pietermaritzburg, and the Director-General of Posts, Simla.]

No. 30. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Colombo. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 18th instant, informing you that this colony would introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next. No doubt the Postmaster-General, London, will communicate with you in regard to the completion of any necessary arrangements, but it gave me much pleasure to convey to you the earliest possible intimation of the intentions of this colony. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Colombo. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. [Letters of same text sent to the Postmasters-General, St. John's (Newfoundland) and Singapore.]

No. 31. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th August, 1900. Intend having postage-stamp commemorating universal penny post. Inquire cost stamp exact measurement present penny stamp and same number on steel plate. Might be designed by President Eoyal Academy. E'emale figure symbolical New Zealand facilitating communication throughout world. Lettering to be, " New Zealand Universal Postage, One Penny." Telegraph "quickly if design can be obtained and plate engraved and sent with million stamps to reach here before end^year.

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No. 32. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-Geneeal. Sik,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 30th August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm the telegram, copy of which is attached [No. 9], on the subject of the proposed introduction of universal penny postage by this colony. I also enclose copies of telegrams,—from the Colonial Office to His Excellency the Governor [No. 23], and between the Postmaster-General at London and the Hon. Mr. Ward [Nob. 5, 8, 15], and copy of a memorandum from myself to the Governor in reply to the telegram from the Colonial Office. You will observe that the question was raised whether Imperial or universal penny postage was intended, and Mr. Ward's telegram to the Postmaster-General, London, will make it clear that the latter was meant. The Government was, of course, aware that letters at the penny rate could only be exchanged with foreign countries under the provisions of the Postal Union Convention, and by way of preliminary action the Director-General of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union at Berne was apprised by cable of the intention of this colony to establish the universal rate. You will perhaps consider it advisable to inform the London postal authorities of this, and at the same time to ask whether Her Majesty's Postmaster-General would be disposed to use his influence with the International Office and the Post Offices of the principal foreign countries in order that New Zealand might be enabled to extend its penny-postage scheme as widely as possible. It is, of course, understood that the Imperial Post Office offers every encouragement to the introduction of the penny post throughout the Empire, and I do not doubt that the colonies concerned have already been communicated with by the Marquess of Londonderry, in order that, at the least, New Zealand may be enabled to participate in the Imperial pennypost arrangements by the beginning of the new year. As regards the Australian Colonies, it is probable that, owing to the near approach of federation, it may be some time yet before the Federal Government determines whether it will fall in with New Zealand. The appreciative telegrams, however, from the principal colonies in the group, and the generally expressed wish for a penny post within the Commonwealth, encourage me in the hope that the penny postage may be adopted by Australia. * ***** I have, &c, J. G. Wabd, For the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 33. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington, to the Eight Hon. the PostmastekGeneral, London. My Lord Marquess,— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 18th instant, advising you that this colony would introduce universal penny postage on the Ist January next, and to thank you for your Lordship's cordial reply. My second telegram of the 20th idem would make it clear that universal, as distinct from Imperial, penny postage was intended. I was, of course, aware of the difficulties attending the establishing of a penny post beyond Her Majesty's dominions, but with every confidence that the acceptance of the scheme throughout the Empire was assured, the time seemed opportune to bring forward the larger question, in the hope that at least the United States, as being the principal foreign country with which New Zealand has direct postal relations, would agree to exchange letters at Id., as it does with Canada. As regards the Australian Colonies, it may be well to explain that, with the near approach of federation, it is unlikely that the Conference which is to meet presently to consider the fusing of the postal services of Australia will be able to come to a decision about the penny post until close upon the end of the year. Judging, however, from telegrams which have been received from the Postmasters-General of the principal colonies there is reason to hope that the Commonwealth will fall in with New Zealand. No doubt your Lordship will, before the receipt of this letter, be in a position to inform me whether Her Majesty's Government and the colonies which at present are parties to the Imperial penny-postage scheme are prepared to receive our letters at the penny rate. I am pleased to be able to say that highly satisfactory telegrams have been received from the Director-General of Posts, India, and the Postmasters-General, Hongkong, Natal, and Cape Colony. I have, &c, J. G. Wabd, Postmaster-General. The Most Hon. the Marquess of Londonderry, K.G., P.C., Postmaster-General, London.

No. 34. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Washington. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 18th instant, informing you that this colony would introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next. The scheme which it is proposed to introduce will, as far as practicable, be universal, as

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distinct from Imperial, penny postage. There will, no doubt, be difficulties in the way of making arrangements with many of the countries in the Postal Union, but the cordial relations which have for so many years subsisted between the United States and this colony lead me to hope that you will see your way to grant the same privileges to New Zealand in regard to the exchange of letters at the penny rate as are at present accorded to the Dominion of Canada. I have the less hesitation in expressing this hope as for a generation—from the time when New Zealand was an unimportant colony, indeed, until the present day—the route by way of the United States has been availed of by the colony, as it is the quickest for mail communication with the Mother-country. * * * * * * I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Postmaster-General. The Postmaster-General, Washington, D.C.

No. 35. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genekal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Ottawa. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the lHth instant, informing you that this colony would introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next. Recalling the prominent part which Canada took in the negotiations which preceded the establishing of the Imperial penny-postage scheme, it give.s me unusual pleasure to make this announcement. No doubt the Postmaster-General, London, will write to you in connection with any necessary arrangements yet to be made. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Postmaster-General. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Ottawa.

No. 36. The Hog. the Postmastee General, Wellington, to the Directoe of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st August, 1900. New Zealand introduces universal penny postage first January, befitting commemoration new century. Hope for your favourable consideration.

No. 37. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Director, Inteenational Bueeau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 31st August, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of to-day, advising that New Zealand would introduce universal penny postage on the Ist January next. I should be obliged if you would communicate wich other Administrations informing them that New Zealand is desirous of extending the penny-poscage rate as widely as possible, and would be glad to enter into a restricted union under Regulation XXI. of the Washington Convention, with a view to a reduction of letter-postage rates with any country which may be willing to do so. I may explain that through inadvertence my telegram of the 18th instant, intended for you, was addressed to the Director-General of Posts, Berne. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Director, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne.

No. 38. The Agent-General for New Zealand to the Hon. the Premiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 31st August, 1900. Referring to my letter of the 24th instant, I beg herewith to transmit copy of letter and enclosure received from the Colonial Office, relating to the adoption by New Zealand of universal penny post. I also enclose copy of a letter received this day from the Director-General of the Swiss Post Office, stating that the Hon. J. G. Ward's cablegram of 18th instant has been transmitted to the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union at Berne. I have, &c, Walter Kennaway, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. For the Agent-General for New Zealand.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 38. The Assistant Undeb-Secbetary of State for the Colonies, London, to the Agent-General for New Zealand. Sir,— Downing Street, 25th August, 1900. With reference to your letter of the 18th instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a telegram [No. 23] which has been transmitted to the Governor of New Zealand, on the subject of the proposal of his Ministers to introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H. Bekteam Cox.

[For Sub-enclosure to Enclosure 1, see No. 23.]

Enclosure 2 in No. 38. The Dieectoe-Geneeal of Swiss Posts, Berne, to the Agent-Genebal for New Zealand. Monsieue, — Direction Generale dcs Postes Suisses, Berne, le 29 Aout, 1900. En me referant a votre lettre dv 24 courant, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que le telegramme que j'ai recu le 18 courant de Mr. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General de la NouvelleZelande, a Wellington, a etc transmis au Bureau International de l'Union Postale Universelle a Berne. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Anaguy.

No. 39. The Dieectoe of the International Bubeau of the Univeesal Postal Union, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Bureau International de I'Union Postale Universelle, Monsieue le Postmastee-Geneeal, — Berne, le 31 Aout, 1900. Le 18 et le 31 Aout courant, vous avez bien voulu me transmettre le telegramme suivant: " New Zealand introduces universal penny post first January, befitting commemoration new century. Hope for your favourable consideration." En reponse, je me permets de vous faire remarquer que votre Administration ne peut pas adopter la taxe de 1 penny par £ once indistinctement pour les lettres a destination de tousles pays de l'Union. L'Article 5 de la Convention principale fixe, dune maniere generale, la taxe dcs lettres a 25 centimes par 15 grammes ou fraction de 15 grammes ou a l'equivalent de cette somme dans la monnaie dcs pays de l'Union gui n'ont pas le franc pour unite inonetaire (voir Article IV. dv Eeglement d'execution de la Convention principale). L'Administration de la Nouvelle-Zelande est done obligee de percevoir cette taxe, soit 2£d. par port simple pour les lettres a, destination de tout le ressort de l'Union, a moms que, conformement au § 2 de l'Article 21 de la Convention principale elle ne conclue avec eertaines Administrations "dcs unions plus lestreintes, en vue de la reduction dcs taxes ou de toute autre amelioration dcs relations postales." L'Administration de la Grande-Bretagne, entre autres, a conclu un arrangement de cc genre avec un certain nombre de colonies britanniques, aux termes duquel la taxe dcs lettres de la GrandeBretagne pour ces colonies et vice versa est fixee a Id. par i once (voir note " (15) GrandeBretagne (a) " au bas de la page 10 dv Eecueil de renseignements reparti par ma circulaire dv 5 Septembre, 1899, No. 5237/233). Si V Administration de la Nouvelle-Zelande desire conclure un arrangement de cette nature soit avec la Grande-Bretagne et les colonies britanniques, soit avee d'autres pays de l'Union, il y aura done lieu de prendre les mesures neeessaires a cet effet dans le sens dv § 2 de l'Article 21 precite. Je vous serais tres oblige de vouloir bien me faire connaitre le plus tot possible quelle suite vous jugerez a propos de dormer a la presente communication. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur, Monsieur le Postmaster-General a Wellington. Kuffy.

[Translation.] On the 18th and the 31st instant you were good enough to send me the following telegram : "New Zealand introduces universal penny post Ist January, befitting commemoration new century. Hope for your favourable consideration." In reply, permit me to remark that your Administration is not empowered to adopt the rate of Id. per ioz. without distinction for letters addressed to the countries of the Union.

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Article 5 of the Principal Convention fixes in a general manner the charge for letters at 25 centimes per 15 grammes or fraction of 15 grammes, or the equivalent of this sum in money of those countries of the Union which have not the franc for their unit of value (see Article IV. of the regulation for the execution of the Principal Convention). The New Zealand Administration is therefore obliged to levy this charge—that is to say, 2-Jd. per single rate of letters addressed to any place wichin the Union, unless in conformity with section 2 of Article 21 of the Principal Convention it concludes with certain Administrations agreements for restricted unions with a view to the reduction of charges or to any other improvement of postal relations. The Administration of Great Britain, for instance, has concluded an arrangement of this kind with a certain number of British colonies, in terms of which the charge on letters from Great Britain for these colonies and vice versd is fixed at Id. per (See note " (15) Great Britain (a)" of page 10 of the Summary of Eegulations communicated by my circular of the sth September, 1899). If the New Zealand Administration desires to conclude an arrangement of this kind, either with Great Britain and the British colonies or with other countries of the Union, it will have to take measures necessary to this effect in the sense of section 2 of Article 21 before recited. I shall be much obliged if you will be good enough to let me know as early as possible what steps you think proper to take in connection with the present communication.

No. 40. The Agent-Geneeal for New Zealand to the Hon. the Peemier. (Telegram.) London, sth September, 1900. Penny postage: In reply to your telegram of 30th, 1,000,000 can be delivered early November, free on board, London. Cost, including overtime work £280, not including charges President Academy, who now preparing design. Immediate reply required.

No. 41. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 6th September, 1900. Canadian Government heartily congratulates New Zealand on adoption penny postage.

No. 42. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Agent-Geneeal for New Zealand, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th September, 1900. Penny postage : In reply to your telegram of fifth : Approved.

No. 43. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. Deab Sik, — Ottawa, 7th September, 1900. I have to acknowledge your telegram of the 27th ultimo, announcing that it is the intention of New Zealand to introduce universal penny postage on the Ist day of January, 1901, "as a befitting commemoration of the new century," and expressing your confidence that this Department will take reciprocal action. In reply, I desire to say that this Department will have great pleasure in establishing the penny rate with New Zealand on and from the date you mention. I have to thank you at the same time for the kind personal congratulation your message contains, and I need hardly say that I agree most fully with you that the liberal arrangements which the scattered possessions of Great Britain are making with one another do, in a very true sense, constitute " links of Empire." Congratulating you on the step which New Zealand has decided to take, and hoping that the results from every point of view may be wholly satisfactory, I remain, &c, W. Mulook, Postmaster-General. The Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 44. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Hobart, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. Sib, — General Post Office, Hobart, 7th September, 1900. I am directed by the Hon. the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, confirming your telegram of the 18ch idem, relative to the introduction in New Zealand of the universal penny postage on and from the Ist January next. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. H. V. Bayly, Secretary.

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No. 45. The Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Wellington, to the Director-General of Posts, Berne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, Bth September, 1900. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 18tli ultimo, advising that New Zealand would introduce universal penny postage on the Ist January next. No doubt the Director of the International Office will communicate with you in regard to the completion of any necessary arrangements, but it gave to me much pleasure to convey to you the earliest possible intimation of the intentions of this colony. I have, &c, W. Ghat, The Director-General of Swiss Posts, Berne. For the Postmaster-General.

No. 46. The Postmasteb-Genebal, Cape Town, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, Cape Town, Bth September, 1900. T have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 17th ultimo on the subject of the adoption of Imperial penny postage by New Zealand, and to confirm my cablegram of the 23rd idem, of which a copy is enclosed. I may say that this Department heartily welcomes the adhesion of New Zealand, and trusts that before long the whole of the Australasian Colonies may be able to adopt the lower rate. The Cape Colony takes an especial interest in the question of ocean penny postage, and, as you are doubtless aware, was instrumental in securing the adoption of the penny rate between British possessions as a preferable arrangement to the higher rate of 2d. advocated by the Imperial authorities. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. E. French, Postmaster-General.

No. 47. The Undeb- Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs, Brisbane, to the Hon the Postmaster-Geneeal, Wellington. Sir, — Post and Telegraph Department, Brisbane, Bth September, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th ultimo, in further reference to the introduction of universal penny postage in your colony, and to the suggested adoption of the system by the Australasian Colonies. In reply, the Postmaster-General directs me to say it is considered that the question of so large a reduction of postage must affect the financial position of the Federal Government, and it is therefore a matter to be dealt with by the Federal Cabinet and Parliament, and could not be departmentally decided. The position of New Zealand as regards area, contiguity to the sea, and population, is not at all analogous to that of Australia, where the land services are necessarily long and expensive, and where the comparatively small population is scattered over a very large extent of country. I have, &c, Eobert. T. Scott, Under-Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 48. The Hon. the Postmaster-Geneeal, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Sib, — General Post Office, Melbourne, 11th September, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge your communication of the 29th ultimo, and to confirm my telegraphic congratulations of the 23rd idem upon the introduction of penny post decided upon by your Government. The question of a uniform penny postal rate within the Australian Commonwealth will undoubtedly be considered at the Conferences which are to take place before the Postal Departments of the federating States are amalgamated, but of course it would be premature to predict as to the shape the recommendation will assume. In the meantime the matter is receiving the attention of the Victorian Government, and I hope to be able to announce our decision in a few weeks at latest. I have, &c, W. A. Watt, Postmaster-General. The Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General, Wellington.

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No. 49. The Ministeb of Education and Agriculture, Adelaide, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Office of the Minister of Education and Agriculture, Sib,— Adelaide, 17th September, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 29th August, conveying the fnformation that universal penny postage will be introduced by New Zealand from Ist January, 1901, and asking that the question of reciprocity in this matter between your colony and the Commonwealth of Australia be considered at the conference of heads of departments proposed to be held shortly. In reply I beg to inform you that the Australian Colonies have all decided that the question of adopting universal penny postage should be left to the Federal Government. I agree, however, with the suggestion made by you that the forthcoming Conference should discuss the matter in order to facilitate a decision. I have, &c, E. L. Batchelor, Minister of Education and Agriculture. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 50. The Agent-Genebal for New Zealand to the Hon. the Pbemieb. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 19th September, 1900. Eeferring to your cablegram of the 30th August, instructing me to inquire as to the cost, &c, of engraving by steel-plate process one million postage-stamps proposed to be issued in commemoration of New Zealand adopting universal penny post, I beg to state that I at once communicated with Sir E. Poynter (President of the Eoyal Academy), who expressed his willingness to prepare the design. I also communicated with Messrs. De La Eve and Company and Messrs. Waterlow and Sons as regards the cost and the time in which they would undertake to supply the stamps. Messrs. De La Hue were unable to undertake to supply the stamps within the required time. Messrs. Waterlow, however, subject to their receiving the design without delay, undertook to deliver them for shipment early in November. Messrs. Waterlow quoted as follows: Engraving original die, £100 ; making printing-plate, £95 ; printing 1,000,000 stamps, £62 10s.; overtime, £20 : total, £277 10s. I informed you on the sth instant by cable of the price and time of delivery, and on the 7th instant I received your reply approving the same. However, on again communicating with Sir Edward Poynter I was informed by him that he could not furnish the design before the 21st of this month. There was therefore, in order to get the stamps out to the colony in time, no alternative but to obtain a design through Messrs. Waterlow, so that the work of engraving could be at once commenced. The design furnished by their designer will, I think, be approved as artistic and as carrying out the idea expressed in your cablegram. I propose to send out at all events a portion of the stamps by the mail (via San Francisco) which leaves London on the 17th November next, and which is due at Wellington on the 20th December. The remainder will go by the direct steamer leaving London on the Bth November, and should reach Wellington before the end of the year. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

No. 51. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General and General Superintendent of Telegraphs, Perth. General Post Office, Wellington, 20th September, 1900. Sir, — Universal Penny Postage. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo, in which you say that until the question is definitely decided by the Federal Government your Department will probably be unable to deliver letters received from New Zealand unless fully prepaid at the rate of 2d. per half-ounce. I am to express the Hon. Mr. Ward's regret that the refusal of letters from this colony should have been suggested. He is surprised to think that, even if you were unable to establish a penny rate from your colony to New Zealand, any objection should be raised to treating our mail matter as fully prepaid at the rate of Id. The Minister desires to remark further that if your colony determines to take such unusua action as you suggest there is nothing to prevent our retaliating. I have, &c, W. Geat, Secretary. The Postmaster-General and General Superintendent of Telegraphs, Perth.

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No. 52. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemieb. (Telegram.) London, 24th September, 1900. Dniveesal penny postage : —Stamp colour : Shall I decide without furiher reference to? I recommend accordingly.

No. 53. The Hon. the Peemier to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th September, 1900. Penny postage-stamps : Arrange for six heavy arrows in margin sheets to facilitate division into sixties. Confer with Imperial Post Office.

No. 54. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 27th September, 1900. PENNY-postage message of 25th received. Ido not see the necessity for conferring with Imperial Post Office. There is no difficulty.

No. 55. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th September, 1900. Penny postage-stamp must be printed in carmine, same as our present penny stamp.

No. 56. The SuPEEiNTENDENT of Fobeign Mails, Washington, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Post Office Department, Office of Foreign Mails, Washington, D.C., Sib,— 2nd October, 1900. I have the honour, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your lettter of the 30th August last, confirming your telegram of the 18th of the same month, announcing that New Zealand would introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next, and, in connection therewith, stating that the cordial relations which for so many years have subsisted between New Zealand and the United States lead your Administration to hope that this Department will see its way to grant the same privileges to New Zealand in regard to the exchange of letters at the penny rate as are at present accorded to the Dominion of Canada. In reply, I am to inform you that, however much the Postmaster-General may be in sympathy with your views respecting universal penny postage, and especially respecting penny postage between New Zealand and the United States, yet, under the legislation in force in this country, it is impracticable to carry those views into operation as regards any country the mails for which are necessarily conveyed from this country by sea. I am, &c, N. M. Beooks, Superintendent of Foreign Mails. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 57. The Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) 3rd October, 1900. When do you propose introducing inland penny postage ? Beply.

No. 57a. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd October, 1900. Penny postage within and beyond New Zealand Ist January next.

No. 58. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiek. (Telegram.) London, 11th October, 1900. Assubed by Imperial Post Office that on Ist January postage will be reduced to one penny the half-ounce each way between New Zealand and all parts of the British Empire included in penny scheme. Steps will be taken to notify change to all British possessions concerned, as well as Postal Union, in due time.

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[Extract from Parliamentary Debates, No. 34, of 12th October, 1900, page 162.] House of Representatives. Imperial Penny Postage. Mr. Ward (Postmaster-General) read the following cablegram from the Agent-General " Assured by the Imperial Post Office that on Ist January postage will be reduced to one penny the half-ounce each way between New Zealand and all parts of the British Empire included in penny scheme. Steps will be taken to notify the change to all British possessions concerned, as well as Postal Union, in due time.—London, 11th October, 1900."

No. 59. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, London, 12th October, 1900. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th August, confirming your previous announcements by telegraph of the desire of the New Zealand Government to establish penny letter-postage with all parts of the world on the Ist January next. As regards that part of the proposal which relates to the adhesion of New Zealand to the scheme for penny postage within the British Empire, I am to state that the Postmaster-General lost no time in laying the matter favourably before Her Majesty's Government, which, he is glad to inform you, has now agreed to the institution of penny postage between the United Kingdom and New Zealand as from the Ist January next. I am to explain that the inclusion of any British possession in the scheme automatically establishes penny postage between that possession and all others which are parties to the scheme. It was laid down as an essential principle of the measure, on its inception in 1898, that it should be applicable to the reciprocal relations between any two of the postal administrations participating in it. Consequently it will suffice for the Postmaster-General to notify the Post Offices of the British possessions concerned (of which a schedule is attached) in order to secure the adoption of penny postage between each of them and New Zealand, in both directions, on the Ist January next; and this he will proceed to do in proper course. He will at the same time notify the change to the Postal Union generally, through the International Bureau. It is, of course, understood that the change will be restricted to the rate of postage on letters. As regards your desire to establish a penny letter-postage with foreign countries, more particularly the United States, the Postmaster-General has already pointed out (in his telegram of the 17th August) that this must be a matter for negotiation between your Government and the several foreign Governments concerned. Since the receipt of your letter now under reply, the Agent-General for New Zealand has, on behalf of his Government, requested the PostmasterGeneral to use influence with foreign Post Offices and the International Bureau of the Union in • order to further the desired change. It has been explained to him that the Postmaster-General has not, and cannot have, any influence in this matter. Nor has the International Bureau, which merely serves as a medium of communication between Union Administrations, any power to affect the arrangements made between them. The sole method of reducing postage below the normal Union tariff which Union Administrations can adopt is that provided in Article XXI. of the Convention of Washington—namely, the formation of restricted unions for the purpose by mutual agreement between the Post Offices concerned. Thus the Post Office of New Zealand will have to treat directly with any foreign Post Office with which it desires to establish penny postage. Her Majesty's Postmaster-General will, of course, be much interested to see whether you will bo more successful than he was in endeavouring to arrange for a reduced postage to foreign countries. The Agent-General has also stated that it is desired to obtain a separate vote for the New Zealand Post Office in the affairs of the Union. You are no doubt aware that, to this end, it is incumbent upon the New Zealand Post Office, under Article XXVI. of the Convention, to make a , proposal, with the support of at least two Union Administrations, to the Union, through the International Burea.u, for the modification of Article XXVII., and that the proposal will have to receive a unanimity of votes. The Postmaster-General will have pleasure, if Her Majesty's Government sees no objection, in supporting the proposal of your office, and he is representing the matter to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile it will be necessary for you to seek the support of a second Administration, which the Postmaster-General ventures to suggest might readily be found in either the Post Office of Canada or that of the United States. I am &c, The Postmaster-General, Wellington. G. H. Murbay.

Schedule of the British Possessions and Protectorates comprised with the United Kingdom in the Penny-postage Scheme. Aden; Ascension; Bahamas; Barbadoes; Bermudas; British Central Africa Protectorate; British Bast Africa Protectorate; British Guiana; British Honduras; British North Borneo; Canada; Cape Colony ; Ceylon ; Cyprus ; Falkland Islands; Fiji; Gambia; Gibraltar ; Gold Coast; Hongkong ; India ; Jamaica ; Johore ; Labuan ; Lagos ; Leeward Islands — namely, Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, Dominica, Monserrat, and the Virgin Islands; Malay States, Protected—namely, Perak, Salangor, Neyri-Sembilan, and Pahang; Malta; Mauritius; Natal; Newfoundland; Nigeria Northern —including Borgu, Idda, and Lakoja; Nigeria Southern—including Akassa, Asaba, Benin, Bonny. Brass, Burutu, Calabar (New and Old), Onitsha, Opobo, Warree or Forcados; St. Helena; Sarawak; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Straits Settlements; Tobago; Trinidad; Turk's Islands; Uganda; Windward Islands—namely, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines; Zanzibar.

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No. 60. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 18th October, 1900. .Referring to your letter of the 30th August last and to previous correspondence, I beg to transmit copy of further correspondence which has taken place with respect to the introduction by New Zealand of universal penny postage. Id will be seen that the Imperial Government have agreed to the institution of penny postage between the United Kingdom and New Zealand as from the Ist January next, and also between the colony and every other part of the British Empire included in the penny-postage scheme which was adopted by the Conference of 1898. With regard to the establishment of penny postage with other countries, the General Post Office points out that it rests with New Zealand to treat direct with any foreign Post Office wioh respect thereto. * * * -'- # * I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

Enclosure 1 in No. 60. The Agent-General to the Eight Hon. the Postmaster-General, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— Bth October, 1900. 1 have the honour to address you on the subject of the proposed introduction of universal penny postage in New Zealand. On the 17th August you sent a telegram to the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington, asking whether it was universal or Imperial penny postage that the colony propose to establish, and on the 20th August a reply was telegraphed to you that the proposed postage would be universal and not Imperial. The Government of New Zealand fully understand that outside the Empire New Zealand can only establish penny postage with such countries as are willing to exchange under the provisions of the Postal Union Convention, and by way of preliminary action the Director-General of the International Bureau of the Universal Postage Union at Berne was apprised by cable of the colony's intention to establish the universal rate. My Government would be greatly obliged if you could see your way to use your influence with the International Office and Post Offices of the principal foreign countries' to secure that New Zealand may be enabled to extend her penny-postage scheme as widely as possible. My Government also confidently assume that you will give your assistance to enable it to Establish the penny rate within the Empire with all those offices the Governments of which have already given their adhesion to penny postage. ****** I have, &c, W. P. Beeves. The Bight Hon. the Postmaster-General, St. Martins-le-Grand, E.C.

Enclosure 2 in No. 60. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sir,- General Post Office, London, 9th October, 1900. With reference to my letter of the 23rd August last, [Enclosure 6 in No. 24], acquainting you with the intention of the Postmaster-General to communicate to Her Majesty's Government his cordial concurrence in the proposed adhesion of the Post Office of New Zealand to the scheme for penny postage within the British Empire, I am directed to inform you that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, after consultation with Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, have agreed to the institution of penny postage between the United Kingdom and New Zealand as from the Ist January next. It is, I need not remind you as a member of the Conference which discussed the penny-postage scheme in 1898, an essential principle of the measure that it is applicable to the reciprocal relations between any two postal Administrations participating in it —that is to say, on the Ist of January next the rate of postage on letters will be reduced to Id. the half-ounce, in both directions, not only between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, but between the colony and every other part of the British Empire included in the scheme. Steps will, of course, be taken here to notify the change to the British possessions concerned, as well as the Postal Union generaily, in due time. The Postmaster-General is communicating the decision of Her Majesty's Government to the New Zealand Post Office in a letter explaining the general conditions attaching to penny letterpostage within the Empire. Meanwhile, you may desire to apprise your Government in advance by telegraph. Since the Postmaster-General received the decision of the Treasury your letter of the Bth instant has been received. As regards the request of the New Zealand Government that this Department will use its influence with the International Bureau of the Union and the Post Offices of the principal foreign countries to secure that New Zealand may be enabled to extend the penny-postage scheme a

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widely as possible, lam to explain that the Postmaster-General is powerless in this matter. Nor is it one affecting the International Bureau, of which the function is to announce and record the arrangements between the contracting parties of the union, and not to intervene save as a medium of communication. Under Article XXI. of the Postal Union Convention of Washington it is only by mutual agreement between Post Office and Post Office that restricted unions for the reduction of postage-rates can be formed; and it will rest with the New Zealand Post Office to treat directly with any foreign Post Office with which it desires to establish penny postage. The result of any such negotiation will, of course, be awaited by Her Majesty's Postmaster-General with much interest. ****** I am, &c, The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand. G. H. Murhay.

For Enclosure 3, see No. 58.]

Enclosure 4 in No. 60. The Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 12th October, 1900. I beg to acknowledge with many thanks your letter of 9th instant, informing me that penny postage between New Zealand and every other part of the British Empire included in the scheme will commence on the Ist January next; and also explaining what has to be done to establish penny postage with foreign countries. :!: * * * * * I at once cabled to my Government the information you gave as to the operation of penny postage on Ist January. * * ■;: * * * I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, B.C. W. P. Beeves.

iEnclosures 5 and 6 not printed.]

No. 61. The Hon. the Peemier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th October, 1900. Univeesal penny postage-stamps : Print second million.

No. 62. The Dibeotoe-Genebal of Swiss Posts, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes Suisses, Monsieue le Dieecteuk-General, — Berne, le 26 Octobre, 1900. Bepondant a votre lettre dv 8 Septembre dernier et en me referant a la circulaire dv Bureau international de l'Union postale universelle dv 10 courant, j'ai l'honnsur de vous informer que mon Administration nest pas en mesure de dormer suite actuelleinent a votre proposition de conclure un arrangement reduisant a 1 penny (soit la contre-valeur de cette somme) la taxe simple dcs correspondances dans l'eehange avec votre pays a partir dv ler Janvier prochain. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, General Post Office (Nouvelle-Zelande), Wellington. Lutz.

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of Bth September last, and referring to the circular of the International Office of the Universal Postal Union of the 10th instant, I have the honour to inform you that my Administration is not as yet in a position to give effect to your wishes for concluding an agreement reducing to one penny (or the equivalent of that sum) the single rate for correspondence exchanged with your country from the Ist January next.

3—F. 3.

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No. 63. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to His Excellency the Governoe. My Lord,— Downing Street, 30th October, 1900. With reference to the telegraphic correspondence noted in the margin [Secretary of State to Governor, 24th August, 1900, (No. 23) ; Governor to Secretary of State, 28th August, 1900; Secretary of State to Governor, 10th October, 1900; Governor to Secretary of State, 23rd October, 1900, (see next number following)], relative to the proposal of your Government to introduce universal penny postage from the Ist January next, I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury on, 3rd instant agreed to the institution of penny postage between the United Kingdom and New Zealand as from the Ist January next, provided that your Government, on finding that universal penny postage was impracticable, retained its desire to institute penny postage with this country and with such British colonies as have accepted the latter scheme. Your telegram of the 23rd instant having since made clear what was the intention and desire of your Government in this respect, their adherence to the Imperial penny-postage scheme will be communicated, as on previous similar occasions, in a circular despatch to the colonies generally; and the same circular will also contain an intimation of the readiness of your Government to enter into a similar arrangement with any British possession that may not as yet have joined the scheme. I have, &c, H. Bekteam Cox, For the Secretary of State. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 64. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemier. Sic, — Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 30th October, 1900. Eeferring to my letter of the 18th instant, I beg herewith to transmit copy of letter from the Colonial Office (dated this day) forwarding copy (also enclosed) of further correspondence relating to the introduction of universal penny postage. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. W. P. Beeves.

Enclosure in No. 64. The Assistant Undee-Seceetary, Colonial Office, to the Agent-General. Sir,— Downing Street, 30th October, 1900. With reference to your letter of the 18th August last [Enclosure 2 in No. 24] relative to the proposal of the New Zealand Government to introduce universal penny postage on the Ist January next, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of the correspondence noted in the margin [telegram from the Secretary of State to Government, 24th August, 1900; telegram from Government, 28th August, 1900; Treasurer's letter, 3rd October, 1900; telegram to Government, 10th October, 1900; telegram from Government, 23rd October, 1900], and to state that a circular despatch to the colonies notifying the adherence of the New Zealand Government to the Imperial penny-postage scheme from the Ist January, 1901, will be issued from this Department. An intimation will also, at the same time, be made of the desire of New Zealand to enter into similar arrangements with any British possessions which may not as yet have joined the pennypostage scheme. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Bertram Cox.

[For Sub-enclosure 1, see No. 28.]

Sub-enclosure 2 to enclosure in No. 64. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Wellington, 28th August, 1900. Eefeeeing to your telegram 24th August, my Government fully understood that penny postage could only be applied to such countries as would reciprocate, and that preliminaries to action had been taken in regard to places beyond Her Majesty's dominion by communicating with International Office, Berne. -—

Sub-enclosure 3 to Enclosure in No. 64. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the Under-Secretaey of State for the Colonies. Sir, — Treasury Chambers, 3rd October, 1900. Adverting to Mr. Lucas's letter of the Bth ultimo, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you herewith for the information of the Secretary of State a copy of a letter which is being addressed to the Postmaster-General in regard to penny postage between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, E, W. Hanbury.

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Second Sub-enclosure to Sub-enclosure 3 in No. 64. The Financial Secketaky to the Teeasury to the Eight Hen. the Postmaster-General. My Lord,-— ..... Treasury Chambers, 3rd October, 1900. I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to state, in reply to Mr. B. Forman's letter of the 23rd August, that, after communicating with Mr. Secretary Chamberlain on the subject, they agree to the institution of penny postage between the United Kingdom and New Zealand as from the Ist January next, provided that the Colonial Government, on finding that universal penny postage (which it appears desirous of establishing) is impracticable, retains its desire to institute penny postage with this country, and with such British colonies as have accepted the latter scheme. I am, &c, The Postmaster-General. R. W. Hanbury.

\ Sub-enclosure 4 to Enclosure in No. 64. The Bight Hon. the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Goveenoe. (Telegram.) London, 10th October, 1900. Referring to your telegram of 28th August, do I rightly understand that your Government will adopt penny postage Ist January, as regards places where the system has been adopted within the Empire independently of action in respect to places outside?

Sub-enclosure 5 to Enclosure in No. 64. His Excellency the Governor to the Right Hon. the Sbcebtaey of State for the Colonies. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd October, 1900. Refeeeing to your telegram of 10th October: New Zealand adopts penny postage to all places in Empire which will allow New Zealand to do it. My Government, however, desire to enter into arrangements with any other British country and with any other country willing to form a restricted union under section two, article twenty-one, Washington Convention.

; No, 65. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmastee-General, Cape Town. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, Ist November, 1900. I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth September last on the subject of the introduction of the penny post in this colony. The Hon. the Postmaster-General desires me to express his great satisfaction at' receiving so appreciative a reply from your office. It is understood that the Imperial Post Office is communicating with the British colonies in the matter. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Cape Town. W. Geay, Secretary.

No. 66. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Dibbctob-General of Posts, Paris. General Post Office, Wellington, le 23 Novembre, 1900. Monsieur lb Diebctbue-Geneeal, — J'ai l'honneur de vous informer que la Nouvelle-Zelande desire introduire, a partir dv ler Janvier prochain, le " penny tarif " (tarif de 10 centimes par 15 grammes) pour lettres pour tous pays, en commemoration dv commencement dv nouveau siecle. Les administrations dcs Postes de la Grande Bretagne, dcs Indes, dv Canada, et beaucoup d'autres possessions britanniques ont deja signifie leur intention de nous rendre la reciprocity; mais par un malentendu il est possible que votre administration n'ait pas etc pr6venue dv d6sir de notre colonie d'etendre le tarif dun penny a votre pays. Les avantages de tarifs postaux moderes vous sont si bien connus que je me contente, a present, de suggerer, a la consideration favorable de votre administration, la formation dune Union restreinte entre la France et la Nouvelle-Zelande, sous l'article XXI. de la Convention Principale de Washington. S'il nest pas en votre pouvoir de r6duire le tarif dcs lettres mises a la poste dans votre pays et destinees a la Nouvelle-Zelande, j'espere pourtant qu'il vous serait possible de delivrer aux destinataires, sans taxe, les lettres provenant de notre colonie et affranchies dun penny par 15 grammes. J'ai 1' honneur, &c, J. G. Ward, • .. . Maitre-General dcs Postes. Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes de France, a Paris. - . ■■•• (For translation of this letter, see No. 66a, down to end of third paragraph, " prepaid at Id.") [Similar letter sent addressed Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes—de l'Etat de Nicaragua; de Perse; de Liberia; d'Haiti; d'AUemagne; dv Mexique; dcs Indes Orientales Neerlandaises; de I'Equateur; d'Autriche ; dv Montenegro; de Suede; de Bosnie Herzegovine; de la Russie ; dv Royaume de Siam ; de la Republique de l'Uruguay ; de Norvege ; de Bulgarie; de Hongrie ;de Turquie; de Belgique; de Chine; de l'Etat independant dv Congo; de la Republique de Costa-Rica; dv Danemark; de Luxembourg; dcs Pays Bas; de la Suisse; de l'Egypt; de la Republique Dominicaine; de la Bolivie aLa Paz; dv Guatemala; dv Bresil; d'ltalie ; de Roumanie; dv Salvador; de Grece ; de Servie; dv Chili; de la Argentine ; dv Venezuela ; de Coree ; dv Paraguay ; dv Honduras ; dv Perou ; and de la Republique le Coloinbie.]

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No. 66a. The Hon. the Postmastee-General, Wellington, to the Dieectoe, Imperial German Posts, Berlin. General Post Office, Wellington, 23rd November, 1900. Sib, — Penny Postage. I have the honour to inform you that New Zealand is desirous of establishing penny postage (10 centimes for each 15 grammes) to all countries throughout the world as from the 1st January next, as a fitting commemoration of the commencement of the new century. The Post Offices of Great Britain, India, Canada, and many other British possessions have already signified their intention of reciprocating ; but through a misapprehension it is possible that your Administration has not yet been apprised of the desire of this colony to extend the penny rate to your country. The advantages of cheap postage are so well known to you that I have only at the present time to suggest for the favourable consideration of your Administration the formation of a restricted union between Germany and New Zealand under Article XXI. of the Washington Convention. Should it not be within your power to reduce the postage on letters posted in your country for New Zealand, I trust that it may be possible to deliver without surcharge any letters received from New Zealand prepaid at Id. The progressive policy of the Imperial German Post Office, to which so many of the worldwide postal reforms are due, gives me every confidence that your Administration will be able to fall in with the views of New Zealand. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. [Letter in similar terms sent to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Tokio, Japan.]

No. 67. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th December, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th October last, transmitting copy of correspondence with respect to the introduction of universal penny postage. ****** The Postmaster-General has communicated with foreign offices concerning a reciprocal agreement for the exchange of letters at the penny rate, but so far a reply has been received from the United States of America only, which did not see its way to fall in with the request. Australia has not yet decided the question, but a favourable decision is hoped for. I have, &c, J. G. Wakd, for the Premier.

No. 68. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington, to the Seoeetaey, General Post Office, London. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, sth December, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th October last, advising that Her Majesty's Government had agreed to the institution of penny letter postage between the United Kingdom and New Zealand as from the Ist proximo. I was pleased to learn that the decision of New Zealand to adopt the penny-postage scheme automatically establishes penny postage between this colony and all other British possessions which are parties to the system, and this Department will proceed on the understanding that it is settled that the reciprocity is complete as far as the possessions in question are concerned. Up to the present I have not been advised of the intentions of the Australian Colonies, but it is hoped they will be favourable to the reduced postage. I have already communicated with the foreign Post Offices, as suggested in your letter, and the only reply received so far is from the Washington Office, which does not see its way to agree to the proposal. * -I' S ; % * # I have, &c, W. Geay, for the Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, London.

No. 69. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmasteb-Geneeal, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth December, 1900. Has Conference yet settled question of penny post ? If so, would be glad to hear from you.

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No. 70. The Deputy Postmastbr-Genbeal, Sydney, to the Secbbtaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, sth December, 1900. It is not function of Conference to settle question of penny postage. We are reporting to our respective Ministers. Eegret, therefore, unable to supply information.

No. 71. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genekal, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th December. 1900. Have you yet come to decision re penny postage? May I hope that Australian Colonies will fall in with us ? In any case, would they consent from first January deliver our penny letters without surcharge ?

No. 72. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, Bth December, 1900. I am not in position at present to come to decision re penny postage, but you may expect to hear from me shortly.

No. 73. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Melbourne, to the Sbceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic,— General Post Office, Melbourne, 22nd December, 1900. A circular having been received from the Universal Postal Union Bureau, Berne, relative to a proposal by your Administration to introduce the universal penny-postage rate, I have the honour to state that it is regretted correspondence from New Zealand paid at the penny rate cannot be accepted by this colony, but will be surcharged. 1 have, &c, F. L. Outtbim, Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington.

No. 74. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Dibectoe-Geneeal of Posts, Paris. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th December, 1900. Penny Postage. With reference to my letter of the 23rd ultimo on the above-named subject, I have the honour to inform you that, in connection with the South Sea Islands, to which for many years past the letter postage has been the same as the New Zealand inland rate, 2d. per half-ounce, it has been announced that the rate of Id, would apply to the Society Islands (Tahiti) among others. The close trade relations which exist between New Zealand and Tahiti, and the fact that- New Zealand has for many years subsidised a line of steamers to Tahiti, render the circumstances exceptionally favourable to such a concession. It is therefore hoped that your Administration will raise no objection to the application of the penny rate to Tahiti. I have, &c, The Director-General of Posts, Paris. J. G. Wabd, Postmaster-General.

No. 75. The Hon. the Postmastbe-Gbnbbal, Wellington, to the Eight Hon. Edmund Babton, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th December, 1900. I shouLD greatly appreciate your cordial assistance in endeavouring to have New Zealand penny letters admitted into Australia on first January. I have telegraphed Postmasters-General other colonies as follows [See No. 76]. [The above also sent to the Hon. Alfred Deakin, Sydney ; the Hon. C. C. Kingston, Sydney; and the Right Hon. Sir George Turner, Melbourne.]

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No. 76. The Hob, the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Brisbane. (Telegram.) . Wellington, 28th December, 1900 ; ■ In view consummation Australian Federation beginning new year, I earnestly hope you nray.see your way to agree to accept our penny letters until Federal Government determines whether there shall be Australian penny postage, embracing New Zealand. I may mention that very many of our colonists desire to commemorate your federation by writing their friends in Australia by medium of penny post. To preclude this would cause widespread disappointment, and probably the fact would be looked upon as anti-federal in spirit, which at this juncture should be avoided. I myself purpose forwarding a brief congratulatory message on advent new century and penny post to Governor-General, Governors, Ministers, principal officials, and newspapers, and number of commercial and business-men in Australia. These will be prepaid a penny only, and it would be very unfortunate, and would discount real object of missive, if the letters have to be enclosed in franked official covers, to avoid surcharge. May I hope for favourable response to my request, which is already indorsed by our Cabinet. [The above also sent to the Hons. the Postmasters-General, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, and the Hons. the Ministers in charge of Post Offices, Adelaide and Perth.]

No. 77. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General., of Victoria, at Sydney. (Telegram.) ■ Wellington, 29th December, 19C0. I sent you telegram yesterday addressed Melbourne, expressing hope that you and other Post-masters-General would see their way to accept our penny letters from first January pending decision Federal Government to introduce penny postage embracing New Zealand. If you have not received telegram Mr. Crick will probably supply you with copy.

No. 78. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Hobart, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Hobart, 29th December, 1900. Eegeet to be unable to meet your wish re penny postage. Eecent Postal Conference recommended that the question be left for Commonwealth Government to decide. It is one on which the whole of the States should act as one, pending the transfer of Post Offices to Federal Govern■ment. Were it only a Tasmanian question we might have met you, but as it is really a Commonwealth question we do not wish to act independently.

No. 79. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Perth, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Perth, 29th December, 1900. Eegeet cannot entertain your proposal re penny postage.

No. 80. The Hon. the Postmaster-General of Victoria, at Sydney, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 31st December, 1900. Penny post: Have conferred with Mr. Crick, and regret that we cannot now disturb the previous decision, but in the event of any letters having been posted in New Zealand in expectation of coming through for a penny these will be delivered. You will therefore notify your public that postage to Australia will be twopence. We have informed other colonies in foregoing terms, but all those Administrations heard from so far are in favour of Conference recommendations being adopted.

No. 81. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Postmasters. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st December, 1900. All post-offices supplied with the new universal penny stamp are to open to the public to-morrow from 9to 10 a.m. for the sale of the stamps. In no case are the stamps to be sold in quantities, or for collectors' or for any other purposes, except for prepaying letters intended to be posted to-morrow so as to bear the date-stamp of the Ist January. :..' /

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No. 82. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hons. the Premiers of the Australian States. (Telegram.) . Wellington, Ist January, 1901. All good wishes for happy and prosperous new year. May the new century see the complete cementing of the Empire and its continued expansion in the interests of national progress, liberty, equality, and commerce. Not the least important event of the new century will be New Zealand's decision to introduce universal penny postage. The inclusion of federated Australia would complete the extension of this reform to all important parts of the Empire, and I look forward with unfeigned satisfaction to the probable adoption of the penny post by Australia. [Telegrams of same text sent to His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, Sydney; His Excellency the Governor, Adelaide; His Excellency the Governor, Brisbane ; His Excellency the Governor, Hobart ; His Excellency the Governor, Melbourne ; His Excellency the Governor. Perth; the Hon. E. Barton, the Hon. J. Cook, the Hon. A.. Deakin, the Hon. J. Dickson, the Hon. John Kidd, the Eight Hon. C. C. Kingston, and the Eight Hon. G. H. Eeid, Sydney ; the Hon. Gavan Duffy and the Hon. Agar Wynne, Melbourne ; the Hon. J. A. Thynne and che Hon. Horatio Wilson, Brisbane; J. H. Henniker Heaton, Esq., M.P. (at Sydney) ; the Hon. S. H. Parker, Perth ; the Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon, Sydney ; the Hon. J. Carroll, Sydney; the Hons. the Postmasters-General, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, and Sydney; the PostmastersGeneral, Adelaide and Perth; W. Warren, Esq., Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company, Melbourne; Sir Charles Todd, K.C.M.G., Adelaide; the Editors, Herald, Age, and Argus, Melbourne; Daily Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, Bulletin, Evening News, and Australian Star, Sydney; Courier and Daily Telegraph, Brisbane; Observer, Adelaide; and Mercury, Hobart; and Eeuter's Agent, Melbourne.]

No. 83. The Hon. the Postmaster - General, Brisbane, to the Hon. the Postmaster - General, Wellington. . (Telegram.) Brisbane, 2nd January, 1901. Your wire twenty-eighth ultimo re accepting your penny letters : Much regret inability to comply with request, in view of precedents already established—namely, refusal of the British Administration to accept letters at four [? Id.] from Queensland as fully prepaid, and more recent instance in which colonies refused to accept letters from United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire prepaid in any restricted unions provided for in article twenty-one of Postal Convention. It is understood reduced rates are to be reciprocal. Matter was considered at recent Conference, which advised that letters prepaid at rate one penny per half-ounce should not be accepted from New Zealand until Commonwealth Government decided adopt reciprocal rate.

No. 84. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 4th January, 1901. I have the honour to forward herewith, for your acceptance, three specimens of the new penny stamp just issued by this Department. 1 have, &c, W. Gray, For the Postmaster-General.

No. 85. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Cape Town. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, 4th January, 1901. I have the honour to forward herewith, for your acceptance, three specimens of the new penny stamp just issued by this Department. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. [Letters of same text to the Postmaster-General, Adelaide ; the Under-Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs, Brisbane; the Secretary, General Post Office, Hobart ; the Deputy Post-master-General, Melbourne ; the Postmaster-General, Perth ; and the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney.] __^^_^^_^__^^^_

No. 86. The Dieectoe-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Assumption, to the Hon. the PostmastebGenebal, Wellington. Direccion General de Correos y Telegrafos, Paraguay, Senoe Dieectoe, — Asuncion, Enero 7 de 1901. Tengo el honor de acusar recibo de la nota de S.S. fecha 23 de Noviembre ultimo, pidiendo la reduccion de la tarifa, relativos a las cartas postales enviadas de ese pais con destino a, Paraguay,

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En este scutido, me es grato manifestar a S.S. que por la depreciacion monetaria actual, no puede reducirse mas su tarifa; pero que en cambio, por correspondar a los desers manifestados por S.S. la Administraeion, a mi cargo, dejora de percibir la sobre-taxa. Con tal motivo, saluda a S.S. eon toda consideracion. Sailor Director General de Correos, Nueva Zelandia. Angel D. Pena. [Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 23rd November last, respecting the reduction of the letter tariff to Paraguay. In reply, I regret that, owing to the present monetary depression, 1 am unable to reduce the tariff here, but, on the other hand, in order to comply with the wish of your Administration, I will undertake to relinquish the surcharge on " penny letters " from New Zealand.

No. 87. The Postmaster, Hawera, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Hawera, Bth January, 1901. It is observed that a large proportion of letters posted by Maoris still bear the old rate of postage. May I suggest that a short explicit Maori poster referring to penny postage be published ? [This was done.]

No. 88. The Councillor Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Lisbon, to the Hon. the Postmaster-Genekal, Wellington. Direction Generate desPostes et dcs Teldgraphes, Monsieur le Directeur G&n&ral, — Lisbonne, le 10 Janvier, 1901. J'ai l'honneur d'accuser la reception de votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, au sujet dv tarif reduit de 10 centimes par 15 grammes, que votre Administration s'est proposee d'etablir, a parrir dv ler Janvier courant, pour les lettres a destination de tousles pays, en commemoration dv commencement dv nouveau sieele. Je vous felicite pour cette mesure dont la large portee ne m'echappe pas, et tout en regrettant que mon Administration ne soit pas a meme de vous rendre la reciprocite, je vous assure qu'elle ne manquera pas cependant de faire delivrer sans taxe aux destinataires en Portugal les lettres que leur parviendront de votre colonie affranchies dun penny par 15 grammes. Comme le service postal dcs colonies portugaises releve dv Ministere de la Marine et d'Outremer a.Lisbonne, je viens de transmettre copie de votre susdite lettre a cc Ministere pour la suite qu'elle pourra comporter en cc gui concerne ces colonies. Veuillez agre'er, &c, Le Conseiller Directeur-General, Monsieur le Direeteur-G6neral dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, on the subject of the reduced tariff of 10 centimes per 15 grammes which your Administration proposes to establish from the Ist January instant for letters addressed to all countries, in commemoration of the new century. I congratulate you on the measure, the large bearing of which has not escaped me, and, while regretting that my Administration is not in a position to reciprocate, I assure you that meanwhile it will not fail to deliver without surcharge to addressees in Portugal letters which may reach it from your colony prepaid at Id. per half-ounce. As the postal service for Portuguese colonies is under the administration of the Minister of Marine and "Beyond Sea" at Lisbon, I transmitted a copy of your above-mentioned letter to that Minister for any action he might wish to take in respect of the colonies.

No. 89. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Madrid, to the Hon. the Postmaster- _ . General, Wellington. Direccion General de Correos y Telegrafos, Monsieur, — Madrid, le 11 Janvier, 1901. J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser reception de votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier, par laquelle vous avez bien voulu me proposer l'application dv " penny postage " aux relations entre nos deux offices. Mon Administration voit avec une grande sympathie toute mesure tendant a faciliter le developpement dv trafic postal, et elle serait prete a conclure un arrangement dans le sens indique, si dcs raisons, dont elle ne peut manquer de tenir compte, ne Ten empechaient.

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Le tarif interne pour les lettres s'eleVe a 15 centimes par 15 grammes; en outre les lettres remises a domicile, et c'est naturellement le plus grand nombre, sont encore grevees dun droit de distribution de 5 centimes pour objet. Dans ces conditions mon office ne peut adopter pour un international le tarif que vous avezbien voulu me proposer. Dun autre c6t6 j'estime qu'il doit y avoir, autant que possible, reciprocity dans les prix d'afiranchissement applicables a l'echange entre deux pays. Je pense done que, pour le moment, il vaut mieux s'en tenir en tarif de l'Union pour nos relations reciproques, en attendant que dcs circomstances plus favorables nous permettent d'entreprendre une reforme dans le genre de celle dont il s'agit. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-G6n6ral, A. Mr. le Postmaster-General de la Nouvelle-Zelande a Wellington.

[Translation.] I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 23rd November last, in which you were good enough to propose to me the application of penny postage between our two offices. My Administration views with great sympathy any measure tending to facilitate the development of the postal tariff, and would be glad to conclude an agreement in the sense indicated, if reasons, which cannot be left out of consideration, did not preclude its doing so. The inland tariff for letters amounts to 15 centimes for 15 grammes. Moreover, letters delivered at domicile—and naturally these are the most numerous—are surcharged a delivery fee of 5 centimes per article. Under these circumstances my office could not accept for international exchange the tariff which you were good enough to propose. On the other hand, I hold that there should be reciprocity, as far as possible, in the postages applicable to exchanges between our two countries. I consider, therefore, that for the present it will be best to adhere to the tariff of the union for our reciprocal relations until more favourable circumstances should permit us to undertake a reform in the direction in question.

No. 90. The Dieectoe-General of Swiss Posts, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Direction Ge'ndraie dcs Postes Suisses, Monsieue le Dieecteue-Geneeal, — Berne, le 11 Janvier, 1901. En prenant la libert6 de me refe>er a ma lettre dv 26 Octobre 1900, gui re'pondait a la votre dv 8 Septembre de la meme annde, au sujet de la meme affaire, j'ai l'honneur de rdpondre comme suite a votre communication dv 23 Novembre dernier. Quelque disposed que soit mon Administration a s'associer a toute proposition ayant pour but la realisation dun progrds, je regrette de ne pouvoir, en raison dcs consequences, souscrire a celle tendant a l'introduction dune taxe de 10 cts. par 15 gr. pour les lettres echangdes entre nos deux pays. En effet, le public suisse ne comprendrait pas et envisagerait a bon droit comme une anomalie qu'une lettre a destination dun pays eloigne d'outre-mer put etre transported a raison dune taxe de 10 cts. alors que la meme lettre devrait etre affranchie par 25 cts. si elle exait a destination dun dcs pays avoisinant la Suisse. En revanche, je me declare dispose a faire delivrer jusqu'a nouvel ordre aux destinataires sans perception de taxe, a la condition qu'elles ne portent aucun signe les ddsignant comme insuffisamment affranchies, les lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Suisse affranchies dun penny par 15 gr. Veuillez agrder, &c, Le Directeur-G6n6ral, General Post Office, Wellington. Lutz.

[Translation.] In taking the liberty of referring to my letter of the 26th October, 1900, which was in reply to yours of the Bth September of the same year and on the same subject, I have the honour to reply as follows to your communication of the 23rd November last: —■ However disposed my Administration might be to associate itself with any proposal having for its object the realisation of progress, I regret being unable, owing to its consequences, to subscribe to that tending to the introduction of the penny rate for 15 grammes between our two countries. In fact, the Swiss public would not comprehend and would rightly regard it as an anomaly if a letter addressed to a distant country beyond sea could be forwarded at the penny rate when the same letter would have to be prepaid 2Jd. if directed to one of the countries in the vicinity of Switzerland. On the other hand, I feel disposed to deliver, until further advised, to addressees, without surcharge, letters from New Zealand for Switzerland prepaid at Id. for 15 grammes, provided they bear no mark denoting them as insufficiently paid,

4—F. 3.

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No. 91. The Director-General of Posts, Bio de Janeiro, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Monsieur, — Direction Generale dcs Postes, Eio de Janeiro, le 12 Janvier, 1901. Par lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, vous avez bien voulu me faire connaitre que votre pays desire introduire, a partir dv mois de Janvier courant, le " penny tarif " (tarif de 10 centimes pour 15 grammes) pour lettres pour tous pays, en commemoration dv nouveau siecle. En re'ponse j'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre que le desir exprime par votre office, assez raisonnable, ne peut, cependant, etre aeceptd par mon Administration, les conditions specialss dans lesquelles le Bresil se trouve, au point de vue de ces finances, ne permettant par le moment, aucune modification a cet egard dans ses relations Internationales. J'ajouterai qu'en date dv 26 Decembre, 1900, j'ai ecris au Bureau International, avec priere de vous faire connaitre l'avis de mon Administration au sujet de la reduction dont il s'agit. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-Gexte'ral. Monsieur le Maitre General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, a Wellington.

[Translation.] By letter, 23rd November, 1900, you were good enough to notify me that your country desires to introduce from the month of January instant penny postage (10 centimes for 15 grammes) for letters for all countries, in commemoration of the new century. In reply, I have the honour to inform you that the desire expressed by your office, however reasonable, cannot be acceded to by my Administration, as the special conditions in Brazil in connection with finance do not at present permit of any modification in this respect in its international relations. I may add that on the 26th December, 1900, I wrote to the International Office to above effect, with a request that it should notify your Administration on the subject of the reduction in question.

No. 92. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, The Hague, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Tele'graphes dcs Pays-Bas, Monsieur le Maltre-G4n£ral, — La Haye, le 14 Janvier, 1901. Comrne suite a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que pour I'Administration dcs postes neerlandaises il y a de graves objections a la proposition de votre Administration tendant a etablir une union restreinte, en vue de la reduction dcs taxes entre les Pays-Bas et la Nouvelle-Zelande, comme il a etc prevu dans l'article 21 de la Convention Postale Universelle. Je ne puis a mon regret pas non plus accepter votre proposition de delivrer sans taxe aux destinataires les lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour les Pays-Bas gui seraient affranchies d'apres la taxe dun penny par port simple. Ces lettres devront done etre considerees comme affranchies insuffisamment. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur- General, Monsieur le Maltre-Ge'ne'ral dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, a Wellington.

[Translation.] Beferring to your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, I have the honour to inform you that in respect of the Administration of Dutch Posts there are grave objections to the proposition of your office to establish a restricted union for the reduction of rates between Holland and New Zealand, as provided for in Article 21 of the Postal Union Convention. I regret that I am also unable to accept your proposition to deliver without surcharge letters from New Zealand to Holland prepaid at Id. per single rate. These letters will therefore be considered as insufficiently prepaid.

No. 93. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Brussels, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Monsieur, — Administration dcs Postes, Bruxelles, le 14 Janvier, 1901. Comme suite a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre que l'Administration dcs postes beige desire s'en tenir aux dispositions de l'art. 5 de la Convention principale de Washington, pour cc gui concerne le tarif dcs correspondances dans ses relations reciproques avec les pays de l'Union,

F.—3.

Je regrette done de ne pcravoir adherer a votre proposition de conclure un arrangement special en vue d'adopter, dans nos relations, une taxe d'affranchissement inferieure a celle de l'Union, soit pour les lettres eehangees entre nos deux pays soit seulement pour celles gui seraient expedites de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Belgique. A mon avis, le statu quo doit e'tre maintenu ; e'est au prochain Congres qu'il appartiendra l'opportunite dune reduction de la taxe dcs lettres dans l'Union. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, A Monsieur le Postmaster-General, a Wellington, Nouvelle-Zelande.

[Translation.] With reference to your letter of the 23rd November, I have the honour to inform you that the Administration of Posts, Belgium, wishes to comply with the provisions of Article V. of the Principal Convention of Washington in respect of the tariff for correspondence in its relation with the countries of the union. I regret, therefore, being unable to accept your proposition to conclude a special agreement to adopt in our relations a charge for prepayment lower than that of the union, either for letters exchanged between our two countries or solely for those which would be forwarded from New Zealand to Belgium. In my opinion, the statu quo should be maintained, leaving it to the next Congress to seize the opportunity for a reduction of letter charges within the union.

No. 94. The Under-Secretaey of State for Posts and Telegraphs, Paris, to the Hon. the Post-mastee-Geneeal, "Wellington. Monsieur, — . Bepublique Francaise, Paris, le 15 Janvier, 1901. Vous avez bien voulu me proposer, par votre communication dv 23 Novembre dernier, d'6tablir entre nos deux pays une union restreinte, en vue de diminuer la taxe dcs lettres, et vous demandez subsidiairement que dans le cas ou mon Administration ne pourrait se rallier a votre projet, elle consente, tout au moms, a faire delivrer sans supplement de taxe aux destinataires les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande affranchies a raison de 1 penny par 15 grammes. J'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre que mon Administration etudie en cc moment la refonte complete de ses tarifs postaux, et il nest pas encore possible de prejuger le sort que le Parlement reserve ace projet. Je me trouve, dcs lors, de par les circonstances actuelles, dans la necessite d'ajourner ma decision au sujet de l'abaissement de la taxe dcs lettres que vous desireriez introduire dans les relations de la France avec votre pays. J'ajouterai, pour repondre au dernier paragraphe de votre lettre, qu'il nest pas en mon pouvoir de faire delivrer sans taxes aux destinataires les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande et affranchies a raison dun penny par 15 grammes. La France est tenue de se conformer aux tarifs de l'Union Postale Universelle, dans l'impossibilite ou. elle se trouve presentement de conclure une union restreinte avec la NouvelleZelande en vue de la reduction dv tarif dcs lettres. Une telle modification d6truirait, d'ailleurs, la parity dcs tarifs entre nos deux pays et creerait en faveur dcs exp6diteurs de la Nouvelle-Zelande, un traitement privilege de 60 °/° gui ne manquerait pas de provoquer de legitimes reclamations de la part dcs expediteurs francais. Veuillez agreer, &c, Pour le Sous-Secretaire d'Etat dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Le Directeur de l'Exploitation Postale, Jacobey. Monsieur le Maitre General de la Nouvelle-Zelande, a Wellington.

[Translation.] You were kind enough to propose to me in your communication of the 23rd November last the conclusion between our two countries of a restricted union with a view to lower letter rates ; and you ask, subsidiarily, if, in case my Administration could not see its way to agree to your proposal, it would consent at least to the delivery without additional charges to addressees of letters originating in New Zealand and prepaid at Id. per half-ounce. I have the honour to inform you that my Administration has at present under consideration the complete readjustment of its postal tariff, and it is not as yet possible to foresee the fate reserved for the proposals by Parliament. I find myself, in consequence of these circumstances, under the necessity of postponing my decision on the subject of the lowering of the letter rate which you desire to introduce in the relations of France with your country. I may add, in reply to the last paragraph of your letter, that it is not in my power to deliver without surcharge to addressees letters originating in New Zealand and prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounoe.

F.—3.

France is obliged to conform to the tariff of the Universal Postal Union, and finds it impossible just at present to conclude a restricted union with New Zealand with a view to the reduction of the letter tariff. Such a modification would, moreover, destroy the equity of the tariff between our two countries, and create in favour of senders from New Zealand privileged treatment to the extent of 60 per cent., which would not fail to call forth legitimate complaint on the part of French senders.

No. 95. The Dieectoe-Genbkal of Posts and Telbgeaphs, Bangkok, to the Hon. the Postmasteb - Geneeal, Wellington. Sic, — Post and Telegraph Department, Bangkok, 15th January, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd November last, referring to your proposal to extend the penny postage also to Siam. In reply, I regret not to be able to accede to your wish as regards correspondence from Siam to New Zealand. There is, however, no objection on my part that correspondence from New Zealand to Siam be prepaid with Id. only for every 15 grammes, instead of with as prescribed by the Washington Convention. The Siamese Post Offices have been instructed to treat such correspondence as fully prepaid. I have, &c, Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs. To the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 96. ■ The Seoeetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Count de Couete, Consul for France, Wellington. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, 16th January, 1901. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to forward the accompanying copies of letters addressed to the Director-General of Posts at Paris, in connection with the introduction of penny postage in this colony, and the application of the reduced rate to the Society Islands. I have, &c, The Count de Courte, Consul for France, Wellington. W. Geay, Secretary. [For enclosures see Nos. 66 and 74.]

No. 97. The Dieectoe-Geneeal of Posts, San Jose, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. Direccion General de Correos de la Eepiiblica de Costa Rica, San Jose, Monsieue le Dieeotbue Geneeal, — Janvier le 16, 1901. Me referant a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que mon Administration nest pas autorisee pour faire la reduction dans la tarif dcs lettres mises a la poste, mais il ny a pas d'embarrass en accepter la reduction fait dans votre office, et pourtant mon Administration peut accepter et delivrer les lettres provenant de la Nouvelle-Zelande, afl'ranchies dun penny par 15 grammes, sans les graver d'aucune taxe. J'ai l'honneur, &c, M. J. Caeeanza. Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Teanslation.] Eefeeeing to your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, I have the honour to inform you that my Administration is not authorised to make a reduction in the tariff of letters posted here, but has no objection to accept the reduction made in your office, and therefore my Administration will accept and deliver letters from New Zealand prepaid at Id. per half-ounce without subjecting them to any surcharge.

No. 98. The Deputy Postmasteb-Genebal, Sydney, to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 17th January, 1901. Oveb two hundred letters received by " Waihora " bearing penny postage only. Will be passed, but similar letters despatched from New Zealand after 20th instant will be surcharged.

No. 99. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Sydney. (Telegram.) • Wellington, 18th January, 1901. Thanks re letters by " Waihora." Instructions will be reissued and officers strictly warned to see that letters for Australia prepaid twopence. Postmaster-General's commemorative cards were prepaid at this rate.

F.—B.

No. 100. The Directoe of the Intbenational Bueeau of the Univeesal Postal Union, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmastbb-Genbeal, Wellington. Bureau International de l'Union Postale Dniverselle, Monsieue LB Postmasteb-Geneeal, — Berne, le 18 Janvier, 1901. J'ai l'honneur de vous informer que trois Administrations ont repondu jusqu'a present a la circulaire dv 10 Octobre, 1900, par laquelle j'ai fait connaitre aux Administrations de l'Union que votre office est desireux d'etendre la taxe postale dun penny dans la plus grande mesure possible et qu'il serait heureux de conclure, avec n'importe quel pays gui y serait dispose, une union restreinte aux conditions de l'article 21 de la Convention principale, dans le but de require la taxe dcs lettres. Ces Administrations sont celles dcs Etats-Unis d'Amerique, dv Bresil, et de l'Bgypte. Elles ont fait connaitre —celle dcs Etats-Unis d'Amerique, qu'elle a pris bonne note de votre proposition; celle dv Bresil, que les conditions sp6ciales dans lesquelles sen pays se trouve au point de vue financier, ne lvi permettent pas, pour le moment, de reduire son tarif dcs lettres ; et celle de l'Bgypte, qu'elle regrette de n'etre pas a meme actuelleraent d'adopter la taxe postale dun penny, mais qu'elle se reserve de prendre ulterieurement une decision favorable a cc sujet, lorsque les conditions le permettront. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur, General Post Office, Wellington. Kuffy.

[Tbanslation.] I have the honour to inform you that three Administrations have so far replied to circular of the 10th October, 1900, by which I advised Administrations of the union that your office is desirous of extending the penny post to the greatest extent possible, and that it would be happy to conclude with any country so disposed a restricted union on the conditions of Article 21 of the Principal Convention, with the object of reducing the letter-postage. These Administrations are the United States of America, Brazil, and Egypt. They have replied—The United States of America, that it has duly noted your proposals; Brazil, that the special financial conditions of the country do not permit it at present to reduce its letter tariff; Egypt, that it regrets its inability to at present adopt the penny rate, but promises, when conditions permit of it, to give a favourable decision.

No. 101. , The Dieectoe-General of Posts, Santiago, to the Hon; the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Direction Generate dcs Postes dv Chili, Monsieue le Malteb Genbeal, — Santiago, le 18 Janvier, 1901. J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser reception de votre tres honoree dv 23 Novembre dernier, par laquelle vous me proposez, a l'occasion dv commencement dv nouveau siecle, de reduire a 10 centimes par 15 grammes le port que, d'apres l'Article IV. de la Convention Principale de Washington, nos pays respectifs doivent percevoir. En reponse je dois vous faire connaitre qu'il ne m'est pas possible d'accepter la proposition que vous voulez bien me faire, parce que la direction de mon ressort nest pas autorisee a effectuer dcs reductions dans les tarifs postaux, le pouvoir legislatif pouvant seul dans cc pays-ci decreter ces sortes d'alteration. En outre, je crois devoir vous faire observer que, etant donnee la depreciation de la monnaie admise pour le payement de ces taxes en relation avec le franc, notre tarif international actuel, y comprise la surtaxe maritime de 5 centavos percue pour chaque 15 grammes, est nn dcs plus reduits de l'Union Postale. Toutefois, j'ai le plaisir de vous informer qu'en date de cc jour, je donne aux bureaux de ma dependance les instructions necessaires afin qua l'avenirils considerent comme dument affranchies les lettres expedites de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour le Chili portant la valeur dun penny pour chaque 15 grammes de poids. Veuillez agreer, &c, Pour le Directeur-Gen6ral, Le Chef dv Service International, Caelos Lanain Claeo. Monsieur Iβ Maitre General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Teanslation.] I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed letter of the 23rd November last, in which you propose, in inauguration of the commencement of the new century, to reduce to 10 centimes per 15 grammes the postage which, according to Article IV. of the Principal Convention of Washington, our respective countries should levy. In reply, I have to inform you that I am unable to accept the proposal which you were good enough to make, because the direction of my service is not authorised to effect reductions in the postal tariffs, as the Legislature alone has power to decree such alterations in this country.

F.—3.

Moreover, I may remark that, considering the depreciation of the currency admitted for prepayment of these charges in the relation to the " franc currency," our present international tariff, including therein the maritime surcharge of 5 centavos per 15 grammes, is one of the lowest in the union. However, I have pleasure in informing you that to-day I am issuing the necessary instructions to my officers to in future consider as duly prepaid letters from New Zealand for Chili bearing postage at the rate of Id. per half-ounce.

No. 102. The Administeatob-Genebal of Posts, Mexico, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Gbnbbal, Wellington. Administration Generale dcs Postes, Mexico, le 19 Janvier, 1901. Monsieur l , Administbateue-Genebal, — Me referant a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier, par laquelle vous avez bien voulu proposer cette Administration gen6rale la conclusion dune Convention pour la reduction dv port pour la correspondance provenante dv Mexique a destination de la Nouvelle-Zelande, j'ai l'honneur de vous informe qu' ayant etudie l'affaire, et en vue de cc que le mouvement de correspondance entre le Mexique et la Nouvelle-Zelande a peu d'importance, je ne trouve pas, pour le moment, necessaire la Convention dont il s'agit. Eespectivement a la partie finale de votre lettre precise, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que mon Administration gen6rale n'a pas d'inconvenient a delivrer aux destinaires, sans taxe, les lettres provenantes de la Nouvelle-Zelande et affranchies dun penny par 15 grammes. Veuillez agreer, &c, L'Administrateur-General, Monsieur l'Administrateur dcs Postes, Wellington.

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November last, in which you were good enough to propose to this General Administration the conclusion of a convention for the reduction of postage on correspondence from Mexico addressed to New Zealand, I have the honour to inform you that, having gone into the question, and in view of the fact that the volume of correspondence between Mexico and New Zealand is not large, I do not deem such a convention necessary at present. Eespecting the conclusion of your letter, I have the honour to inform you that my General Administration does not see any objection to deliver to addressees, without surcharge, letters originating in New Zealand and prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce.

No. 103. The Directob-Geneeal of Posts and Telegbaphs, Managua, to the Hon. the PostmastebGenebal, Wellington. Direction General dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes de La Eepublique de Nicaragua, Monsieub, — Managua, le 19 Janvier, 1901. J'ai' l'honneur d'accuser reception de votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier me proposant la reciprocity de la part de mon Administration pour l'etablissement dans la NouvelleZelande dv " penny tarif " (tarif de 10 centimes par 15 grammes) pour les lettres a destination de tousles pays. En reponse, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que le tarif dcs lettres ne pouvant se reduire pour le moment, mon office doit se limiter a faire delivrer aux destinataires, sans taxe, les lettres provenant de votre colonie et affranchies dun penny par 15 grammes. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Secretaire, J. Mercedes Fonseca. Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes, de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd November last, in which you propose reciprocity on the part of my Administration for the establishment of penny postage with New Zealand (tariff of 10 centimes per 15 grammes) for letters to all countries. In reply, I have the honour to inform you that the letter tariff cannot be reduced just at present, ana my office must therefore confine itself to delivery to addressees without surcharge of letters from your colony prepaid at Id. per half-ounce.

F.—3.

No. 104. The Ministeb of Posts and Telegraphs, Eome, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Ministere dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Monsieur le Dieecteur-G^nAral, — Eome, le 21 Janvier, 1901. En reponse a votre note dv 23 Novembre dernier, j'ai le regret de vous informer que mon office nest pas en mesure d'adh6rer a votre proposition d'etablir un'entente plus restreinte entre nos deux offices, en vue de reduire a 10 centimes le tarif dv port dcs lettres, s'y opposant les exigences de Tresor public Italien. Toutefois, je n'aurai aucune a admettre que cette reduction soit applique aux lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de l'ltalie et qu'elles soient livrees aux destinataire sans taxe. J'attendrai de connaitre depuis quand cette reforme fonctionnera pour dormer les ordres neceasaires a mes bureaux. Agreez, Monsieur, &c, Le Ministre, A. Pascolato. M. le Directeur-Geiieral dcs Postes, de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Translation.] In reply to your note of 23rd November last, I regret to inform you that my office is unable to accept your proposals to establish a more restricted union between our two offices, as Italian Public Treasury exigencies are opposed to such a course. However, I shall have no difficulty in agreeing that this reduction should apply to letters originating in New Zealand addressed to Italy, and that they be delivered to addressees without surcharge. I shall wait to be informed from what date the reform will come into operation, so that the necessary orders may be issued to my officers.

No. 105. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Athens, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes de Grece, Monsieur le Directeur-G£neral, — Athenes, le 21 Janvier, 1901. Me referant a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, j'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre que malgre mon vif desir d'acccepter la diminution dv port dcs lettres que vous venez de consacrer a partir dv ler de cc mois, en commemoration dv commencement dv nouveau siecle, je m'empe'che de la mettre en execution, vu que l'echelle en vigeur gui est celle 1' Qnion Postale Universelie, est une lois de l'Etat comme la Convention elle-ineme. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-Gendral, Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes a Wellington. A. Roukis.

[Translation.] Eeferring to your letter of the 23rd November, I have the honour to inform you that, notwithstanding my great wish to accept the reduction in letter-postage which you introduced as from the Ist of this month in commemoration of the new century, I am unable to give it effect, because the rate in force, which is that of the Universal Postal Union, is fixed by State law in the same way as the Convention itself.

No. 106. The Director of Posts and Telegraphs, Tunis, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Office dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Tunis, le 23 Janvier, 1901. Monsieur le Maltre-GAn£ral, — En reponse a votre lettre en date dv 23 Novembre dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre qu'il ne m'est pas possible, quant a present, d'accepter votre proposition relative a la fixation de la taxe dcs lettres a 10 centimes par 15 grammes, la question de la reforme complete dcs tarifs etant en cc moment a l'etude. Je ne puis non plus faire delivrer sans taxe aux destinataires dcs lettres originaires de la Nou-velle-Zelande gui seraient affranchies a raison dun penny par 15 grammes, cette exception au regime de la Convention Postale Universelie, constituant un tarif de faveur au profit dcs expediceurs de la Nouvelle-Zelande gui provoquerait vraisemblablement dcs reclamations dv public. Je vous exprime mes regrets de ne pouvoir seconder vos vues sur cc point. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur de l'Office dcs Postes et de 3 Telegraphes, Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

F.—3.

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November last, I have the honour to inform you that I find it impossible at present to accept your proposal respecting the fixing of the letter charge at 10 centimes per 15 grammes, as the question of complete tariff reform is at present under consideration. Similarly, I am unable to deliver without surcharge to addressees letters originating in New Zealand prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce, as such exception to the regime of the Universal Postal Union would constitute a favoured tariff to the profit of senders from New Zealand, and would probably call forth public complaint.

No. 107. The Minister of Commerce, Vienna, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Monsieur le DiRECTEUR-GIbNfeRAL, — Vienne, le 25 Janvier, 1901. In reponse a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier j'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre que je regrette de ne pas pouvoir adherer a votre proposition d'introduire le tarif modere dun penny (10 centimes) par port simple pour les lettres dans les relations entre nos pays. Dcs taxes moderees pour les lettres ne s'appliquent, en cc gui concerne mon office, que dans les relations avec quelques pays voisins. L'adoption dune taxe moderee dans le service international, en general, entrainerait dcs pertes trop considerables, tandis que l'introduction dune telle mesure dans l'echange avec un seul pays eloigne ne repondrait pas a un besom reel dv trafic. Suivant le principe de reciprocity il ne m'est pas non plus possible de laisser remettre aux destinataires, sans surtaxe, les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande et affranchies a raison dun penny, au lieu de 2£ pence par 15 grammes. Veuiller agreer, &c, Pour de Ministre dv Commerce, A Monsieur le Directeur-Ge'neVal dcs Postos, Wellington.

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November last, I have the honour to inform you that I regret that I am unable to accept your proposal to introduce the reduced tariff of Id. (10 centimes) per single rate for letters in the relations between our two countries. Reduced charges for letters are only applied in respect of my office in the relations with some neighbouring countries. The adoption of a reduced charge in international service would entail too great loss, while the introduction of such a measure in the exchange with a single distant country would not meet actual requirements of the tariff; nor is it possible in accordance with the principle of reciprocity to permit of the delivery to addressees, without surcharge, of letters originating in New Zealand and prepaid at the rate of Id. in lieu of 2Jd. per half-ounce.

No. 108. The Director-General of Posts, Sofia, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes Telegraphes et Telephones, Sofia, le 16-29/1/1901. Monsieur le Directeur-General, — J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser la reception de votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, par laquelle vous avez bien voulu me proposer, en commemoration dv commencement dv nouveau siecle, d'introduire, dans nos relations reciproques, le tarif reduisant la taxe dcs lettres ordinaires de 10 centimes par 15 grammes ou fraction de 15 grammes. En reponse je m'empresse de vous faire connaitre que mon Administration bien que desireuse de profiler dcs avantages que presentent toutes les reductions dcs tarifs ayant pour but d'augmenter le trafic international, ne peut, a son grand regret, quant a present, s'associer a cette proposition, bien qu'elle apprecie l'idee progressive dont elle avait etc dieted, car les tarifs applicables actuellement dans le service interieur sont plus eleves, et qu'une pareille reduction dans le sens de votre proposition, constituerait une derogation dcs dispositions en vigueur. Pour ces mernes raisons il m'est impossible d'admettre que les lettres originaires de votre pays a destination de Bulgarie, affranchies par dcs timbres postes de 10 centimes, peuvent etre considerees comme dument affranchies, par consequent elles seront traitees dans les conditions aotuelles prevues par la Convention Internationale. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-General, A Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes a Wellington. W. Stayaz.

[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, in which you were good enough to propose to me, in commemoration of the commencement of the new century, to introduce in our reciprocal relations a reduced letter tariff of 10 centimes per 15 grammes or traction of 15 grammes.

F.—3.

In reply, I hasten to inform you that my Administration, however desirous of profiting by the advantages presented by reduced tariffs which have for their object the augmentation of international traffic, cannot, it is regretted, ac present agree to the proposal, although it appreciates the progressive sentiment by which it was dictated, as the tariffs at present applicable in the inland service are higher, and a reduction in the sense of your proposition would constitute a breach of the regulations in force. For these same reasons it is not possible to admit that letters originating in your country addressed to Bulgaria, prepaid by Id. stamps, be considered fully prepaid, and they will therefore be treated under the present conditions of the International Convention.

No. 109. The Director of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Bureau International de l'Union Postale Universelle, Berne, le 30 Janvier, 1901. Monsieur le Postmaster-General, — Comme suite a ma lettre dv 18 Janvier courant, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que, d'apres une lettre qu'elle vient de m'adresser en reponse a ma circulaire dv 10 Octobre, 1900, I'Administration dcs Postes de Victoria regrette de ne pouvoir accepter comme regulierement affranchies les lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour son pays gui ne porteraient qu'un timbre dun penny par port simple, et que ces lettres seraient taxees dans son service comme insuffisamment affranchies. Veuillez agreer, &c, Pour le Directeur, The General Post Office, Wellington. . —

[Translation.] In continuation of my letter of the 18th January, I have the honour to inform you that, according to a letter just addressed to me in reply to my circular of the 10th October, 1900, the Administration of Posts of Victoria regrets not being able to accept as regularly prepaid letters from New Zealand for that country which bear only a penny stamp per single rate, and that such letters would be charged in its service as insufficiently prepaid.

No. 110. The Director-General of Colonies, Lisbon, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Generale d' Outremer, Lisbonne, le 30 Janvier, 1901. Monsieur le Directeur-General, — J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser la reception de votre office dv 23 Novembre ecoule relatif a l'introduction a partir dv ler Janvier courant dv "penny tarif " (tarif de 10 centimes pour 15 grammes) pour lettres pour tous pays en commemoration dv commencement dv nouveau siecle. En vous felicitant par une mesure si simpathique, je veux de vous dire que les colonies portugaises ne peuvent pas a present faire partie de la meme reciprocite. Je vous peux assurer, cependant, que les lettres mises a la poste dans votre pays affranchies dun penny par 15 grammes et destinees aux colonies portugaises seront delivrees aux destinataires sans taxe. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-General d' Outremer, P. F. Dias Costa. Monsieur le Directeur dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande a Wellington.

[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 23rd November last, respecting the introduction from the Ist January instant of the " penny postage " (postage of 10 centimes per 15 grammes) for letters for all countries in commemoration of the new century. In congratulating you on such a sympathetic measure, I have to say that the Portuguese colonies are unable at present to take part reciprocally. I may assure you, however, that letters posted in your country prepaid Id. per 15 grammes and addressed to Portuguese colonies will be delivered free of charge.

No. 111. The Postmaster-General, Alexandria, Egypt, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, Alexandria, 31st January, 1901. In reply to your letter dated the 23rd November, 1900, I have the honour to inform you that I regret my inability to establish the penny-postage system for correspondence exchanged between your colony of New Zealand and this country, and vice versa.

5—F. 3.

P.—3.

Eeferring, however, to the last paragraph of your letter, I beg to inform you of my willingness to consider letters originating from New Zealand, weighing not more than 15 grammes, and bearing a penny stamp, as sufficiently prepaid. This resolution to come into force on a date to be decided by you. I have, &c, , Postmaster- General. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 112. The Director-Genekal of Posts and Telegeaphs, Lima, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Senor, — Direccion General de Correos y Telegrafos del Peru, Lima, Enero 81, 1901. En respuesta al estimable oficio de V.S. de 23 de Noviembre ultimo, tengo el honor de manifestarle que —por ahora —no es posible introducir modificacion alguna en la tarifa peruana de postes para el extrangero; pero que mi administracion no tiene inconveniente para acceptar y dar curso a la correspondencia de Nueva Zelanda, franqueado con un penique por cada quince gramos de peso, siempre que esta no venga eon el sello T que indica la insuficiencia. Sfrvase V.S. acceptar, &c, El Director General, Al Sr. Director General de Oorreos de Nueva Zelanda, Wellington.

[Translation.] In reply to your esteemed letter of the 23rd November last, I have the honour to inform you that it is not at present possible to introduce any modification in the postage tariff to foreign countries. However, this Administration does not see any objection to accept and deliver correspondence from New Zealand prepaid a penny each half-ounce, provided it does not bear a " T " stamp, indicating insufficient postage.

No. 118 The Director-General of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones, Bucharest, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Geneiale dcs Postes, dcs T6l6graphes et dcs Telephones, ■Monsieur le Maltre-G&neral, — Bucarest, le 5 de FeVrier, 1901. En reponse a votre note dv 23 Novembre, 1900, j'ai l'honneur de vous communiquer que nous desirons maintenir le tarif de 25 centimes par 15 grammes applicable tant aux lettres presentees dans la Nouvelle-Zelande et destinees a la Eoumanie qua celles de Eoumanie pour la NouvelleZelande, attendu que notre Administration ne juge pas opportune la formation dune union restreinte entre la Eoumanie et la Nouvelle-Zelande. J'ai l'honneur de vous informer en meme temps que nous ne tenons a avoir dcs unions restreintes qu'avec les pays plus rapproches dv notre. &c, Le Directeur General, Le Chef dv Service, Monsieur Le Maltre-General dcs Postes a Wellington.

[Translation.] In reply to your communication of the 23rd November, 1900, I have the honour to inform you that we are desirous of maintaining the tariff of 25 centimes per 15 grammes applicable to letters posted in New Zealand and addressed to Eoumania, as well as to those from Eoumania for New Zealand, as our Administration does not deem the formation of a restricted union between Eoumania and New Zealand opportune. I have the honour to inform you at the same time that we only have restricted unions with the countries nearest to us.

No. 114. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Budapesth, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Direction Ge"nerale dcs Postes et dcs Monsieur, — Budapest, le 7 Fevrier, 1901. En reponse a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, au sujet de l'application dcs taxes moder6es sur les lettres entre nos deux pays, j'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre qu'en principe je desire aussi la reduction dcs tarifs pour les correspondances internationales a condition que

£\—3.

la reduction s'effectue dans entre les pays limitrophes ou, en general, entre tousles pays de l'union postale universelle. Mais tant que dans l'echange entre les pays europeens restent les taxes actuelles, je ne suis pas a meme de me rallier a une reduction dcs taxes dans l'echange avec n'importe quel pays extra europeen. Par consequent j'ai le regret de devoir vous informer que je ne puisse accepter votre proposition ni en cc gui concerne notre echange reciproque, ni relativement aux lettres provenant de votre colonie a destination de la Hongrie. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-General, Monsieur le Postmaster-General, a Wellington, Nouvelle-Zelande. Szalaz.

[TRANSLATION.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, respecting the application of reduced charges on letters exchanged between our two countries, I have the honour to inform you that as a matter of principle I am also desirous of reduction in the tariffs for international correspondence, but on condition that such reduction is effected in exchanges between adjoining countries, or in general between all the countries of the Universal Postal Union; but while in exchanges between European countries the rates remain as at present, I am unable to agree to any reduction in charges with any extra-European country whatsoever. I regret, therefore, to have to inform you that I am unable to accept your proposals either in respect of reciprocal exchanges or in connection with letters from your colony to Hungary.

No. 115. The Impeeial War Minister, Vienna, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Eeichs-Kriegs Ministerium, Wien, am 13 Februar, 1901. An die General Post Office in Wellington, Neu-Seeland. In Beantwortung der geschatzten Zuschrift vom 23 November, 1900, beehrt sich das Eeichs-Kriegs-Ministerium mitzutheilen, dass dasselbe der Einfiihrung der ermassigten Taxe yon 10 Centimes fur je 15 Gramm in Briefpostverkehr Bosniens und der Herzegovina mit Neu-Seeland aus principiellen Griinden nicht zustimmen kann. Fiir den Beichs-Kriegs-Minister, Tchmaich.

[Translation.] In reply to your esteemed letter of the 23rd November, 1900, the Imperial War Minister has the honour to inform you that as a matter of principle he is unable to accede to the proposals for the introduction of a reduced postage of 10 centimes per 15 grammes in letter exchanges between Bosnia and Herzegovina and New Zealand.

No. 116. The Director-General of Posts, Berlin, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Kaiserlich Deutsches Eeichs-Postamt, Berlin, W. 66, den 15 Pebruar, 1901. Das Eeichs-Postamt hat yon dem Wunsche dcs General Post Office, fiir den Verkehr Neu-Seelands mit alien anderen Landern den Portosatz yon einem Penny (= 10Ct.) fiir je 15 Gramm dcs Briefgewichts einzufiihren, mit grossem Interesse Kenntniss genommen. Es erblickt in dem dortseitigen Vorsohlage einen erfreulichen Beweis dafiir, dass die postalischen Verhaltnisse Australasiens, die noch im Zahre 1891 den Beitritt der Australischen Kolonien zum Weltpostvereine nur unter Schwierigkeiten sich vollziehen liessen, inzwischen unter der Wirkung der Einrichtungen dcs Vereins cine vollige Umgestaltung im Sinne dcs im Weltpostvereine varkorperten Gedankens fortschreitender Entwickelung erfahren haben. Da Deutschland, wie dem General Post Office aus dem Eundschreiben dcs Internationalen Bureaus dcs Weltpostvereins vom 3 Mai, 1899, No. - 2 r 7 x 2 j; B , bekannt ist, fiir den Verkehr mit semen Kolonien sowie fiir den Verkehr der letzteren unter einander noch erheblich weiter gehende Portoherabsetzungen, als sic der dortseitige Vorschlag vorsieht, durohgefiihrt hat, so steht das Eeiehs-Postamt der Anregung dcs General Post Office, das Briefporto auch fiir den Verkehr zwischen Deutschland und den deutschen Kolonien einerseits und Neu-Seeland andererseits zu ermassigen, grundsatzlich sympathisch gegeniiber. Indessen scheint der Zeitpunkt zur Durchfuhrung einer derartigen Neuerung noch nicht gekommen zu sein. Das deutsche Publikum wiirde es nicht verstehen, wenn das Porto fiir Briefe nach dem fernen Neu-Seeland verbilligt, dagegen fiir Briefe naeh naheren, und insbesondere nach den unmittelbar benachbarten Landern in seiner jetzigen Hohe (20 Pf. fiir je 15 g.) beibehalten werden wiirde. Dass sich aber im Verkehre mit alien in Betracht kommenden Landern in naher Zeit cine Herabsetzung dcs Briefportos im Sinne der dortseitigen Anregung sollte verwirklichen lassen, halt das Eeichs-Postamt bei der grossen finanziellen Bedeutung, die dieser Frage fiir die betheiligten Verwaltungen innewohn fiir ausgeschlossen ; jedenfalls steht mit der Frage der Bemessung dcs Portos die schwierige Transitfrage inengem Zusammenhange. Unter diesen Verhaltnissen ist das

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Beichs-Postamt zu seinem Bedauern vorerst nicht in der Lage, dem Vorschlage dcs General Post Office zuzustimmen ; es glaubt vielmehr ergebenst anheimstellen zu solleu, die Angelegenheit, deren Bedeutung fiir die Entwickelung dea Weltpostvereins nicht verkannt wird, dem nachsten Postkongresse zu unterbreiten. Beziiglioh dcs weiteren Vorschlags, wenigstens die aus Neu-Seeland abgesendeten, mit einem Penny fiir je 15 g. frankirten Briefe den Empfangern in Deutschiand ohne Nachtaxe zuzustellen, beehrt sich das Reichs-Postamc zu bemerken, dass es nicht angangig erseheint, fiir die cine und fiir die andere Richtung verschiedenartige Portosatze anzunehmen, weil em solches Verfahren nach diesseitiger Auffassung einem der Grundprinzipien dcs Weltpostvereins, demjenigen der Beciprocitat, zuwiderlaufen wiirde und cine Ausnahme yon diesem Princip im Weltpostvertrag nur beziiglich der Zuschlagtaxen (Art. 5, 2) zugelassen ist. General Post Office, Wellington. F. Waeekb.

[ I'BANSLATIOiS .j The Imperial Post Office has been greatly interested in the desire of the General Post Office to introduce penny letter postage (10 centimes per 15 grammes) in exchanges between New Zealand and all other countries. It recognises in the proposal a pleasing proof that the postal conditions of Australasia, which, even in 1891, only with difficulty permitted of the Australian Colonies joining the Universal Postal Union, have experienced under the influence of the union a complete change in the sense of continued development, as contemplated in the underlying intentions of the Universal Postal Union. Seeing that Germany, as intimated to the General Post Office in the circular letter of the International Bureau of 3rd May, 1899, No. 2728/111, in exchanges with her colonies, as well as between the latter, introduced even farther-reaching postal reductions than those contemplated by your Administration, she naturally'views the suggestions by the General Post Office to reduce the letter postage between Germany and the German Colonies and New Zealand sympathetically, on principle. However, the time for such innovation does not appear to have yet arrived. The German public would be unable to comprehend why the letter postage to distant New Zealand should be reduced, and yet for the nearer countries, more especially those in the immediate vicinity, retained at the present rates, 20 pfennings per 15 grammes. That, however, in exchanges with the countries contemplated, a reduction in letter postage in the direction indicated by you could be immediately realised is considered by the Imperial Post Office to be precluded through the great financial importance of the question to the countries affected ; at all events, the question of assessing postages is intimately connected with the difficult transit problem. Under these circumstances the Imperial Post Office, to its regret, is as yet unable to accede to the proposal of the General Post Office. It would urge, moreover, that, in view of the importance of the development of the Universal Postal Union, the question be submitted to the next Congress. With respect to the further proposal to at least deliver without surcharge to addressees in .Germany letters from New Zealand which are prepaid Id. per half-ounce, the Imperial Post Office begs to remark that it would not be expedient to have different postages for one way and the other, because such a course would be contrary in its opinion to one of the elementary principles of the Universal Postal Union, that of reciprocity, and the only infraction of this principle permissible under the Universal Postal Convention is in connection with surcharges (Art 5, 2.).

No. 117. The Dikectob-General of Finances, Luxemburg, to the Hon. the Postmasteh-Genebal Wellington. Grand Duche de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, le 19 Fevrier, 1901. MONSIEUB LE MaITBE-GeNEEAD, — En reponse a votre estimee en date dv 23 Novembre de l'annee ecoulee, concernant l'introduction dun tarif reduit pour les relations postales entre la Nouvelle-Zelande et le GrandDuche, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer qu'il resulte de l'instruction a laquelle l'administration dcs postes de cc pays a fait proceder, qu'en cc moment les relations entre les deux pays sont de tres peu d'importance ; tout en rendant hommage a la pensee gui a dicte votre proposition, je crois cependant qu'il serait preferable de la reserver pour le prochain congres postal, et d'examiner en meme temps la question de savoir s'il ne convient pas, en egard au grand developpement qua pris le service international, de proposer dune maniere generate la reduction dcs taxes actuelles. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General dcs Finances, A Monsieur le Maltre-General dcs Postes a Wellington,

[Tbanslation.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November last, concerning the introduction of a reduced tariff in the postal relations between New Zealand and the Grand Duchy, I have the honour to inform you that, from an examination by this Administration, it does not appear that the correspondence between our two countries is of great importance. While, therefore, appreciating the motive which prompted your proposal, I consider it would be preferable to reserve it for the next Postal Congress, and to investigate at the same time whether it would not be advisable, in view of the. great development of the international service, to propose a reduction in the present charges generally.

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No. 118. The Director-General of Posts, San Domingo, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. General Post Office, San Domingo, Dominican Eepublic, Monsieur, — St. Domingue, le 20 Fevrier, 1901. J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser reception de votre communication datee le 23 Novembre, 1900; et j'ai le regret de vous annoncer que je ne peut pas accepter les conditions que vous me proposez, toutefois que notre loi dcs postes ne me permet pas accepter dcs correspondances gui ne soient pas bien affranchies, sous condition de la surtaxe correspondent. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, Eaf. E. Baee. Monsieur le Direeteur-General dcs Postes, Wellington, New-Zealand.

[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your communication dated the 23rd November, 1900, and to inform you that I regret that I am unable to accept the conditions which you propose. Moreover, the law of this country does not permit me to accept without a corresponding surcharge correspondence which is not fully prepaid.

No. 119. The Director-General of Swiss Posts, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Monsieur le Directeur-Genekal, — Berne, le 23 Fevrier, 1901. Gomme suite a ma lettre dv 11 Janvier dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous prier de vouloir bien me faire connaitre, afin que je puisse dormer les instructions necessaires aux offices de poste de mon service, si et, le cas echeant, depuis quelle date les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Suisse sont affranchies par 1 penny pour chaque demionce de leur poids ou si les taxes publiees a la page 26, numero 60, dv Eecueil de renseignements d'interet general concernant l'execution de la Convention principale et de son Eeglement de detail et d'ordre (voir circulaire No. 5237/233 dv Bureau international dv 5 Septembre, 1899) continuent k rester en vigueur dans l'echange avec les pays gui n'ont pas introduit la penny post pour cc gui les concerne. J'attacherais dv prix a etre, en outre, informe si seule la taxe dcs lettres a etc modifiee et si votre office continue a percevoir sous le nouveau regime une surtaxe maritime et, le cas echeant, laquelle. Veuillez agreer, Le Directeur-General, General Post Office, Nouvelle-Zelande. Lutz.

[Translation.] Adverting to my letter of the 11th January last, 1 have the honour to request you to kindly inform me, so that I may give the necessary instructions to the Post Offices of my service, if, and, in the affirmative, since when letters from New Zealand addressed to Switzerland have been prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce, or if postages published on page 26, No. 60, of the summary of general information respecting the execution of the Principal Convention and its detailed regulations (see Circular No. 5237/233 of the International Office of sth September, 1899) continue to remain in force in exchanges with the countries who have not introduced penny post on their part. I would esteem it a favour, in addition, if you would inform me whether the letter rate has been modified, or whether your office continues to levy under the new regime a maritime surcharge, and, if so, of what amount.

No. 120. The Director-General of Posts, Christiania, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes, Christiania, 27 Fevrier, 1901. Monsieur le Maltre-General, — En reponse a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier, par laquelle vous m'informez dv desir de votre colonie d'introduire le penny tarif dans ies relations entre la Norvege et la NouvelleZelande, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que je regrette de ne pas pouvoir, a present, recommender a mon Administration de former une Union restreinte a cc sujet entre nos deux pays.

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Je vous exprime, en meme temps, mes vifs regrets de ne pas pouvoir accorder votre demande d'admettre sans taxe les lettres provenant de votre colonie et affranchies dun penny par 15 grammes. Cc serait, a mon avis, contraire aux dispositions de I'Article set de I'Article 10 de la Convention Prineipale et ne manquerait pas de soulever de la part dv public de mon pays dcs propositions tendant a reduire aussi le port norvegien pour les lettres a destination de la Nouvelle-Zelande. Agreez, &c, A Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes a Wellington. Karl Bbyn.

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November last, in which you informed me of the desire of your colony to introduce penny postage in the relations between Norway and New Zealand, I have the honour to inform you that I regret my inability at present to recommend my Administration to form a restricted union on the subject between our two countries. I would express my great regret at the same time that I am unable to accede to your request to admit without surcharge letters from your colony prepaid Id. per half-ounce. This would, in my opinion, be contrary to the provisions of Articles 5 and 10 of the Principal Convention, and would not fail to raise on the part of the public of my country proposals for the reduction of the charge for the carriage from Norway of letters addressed to New Zealand.

No. 121. The Director-General of Posts, St. Petersburg, to- the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Monsieur,— St. Petersburg, le 3-16 Mars, 1901. En reponse a votre lettre due 23 Novembre, 1900, concernant la taxe reduite de l'affranchissement dcs lettres expediees a destination de l'etranger, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que mon office regrette de ne pouvoir se rallier a votre proposition, et croit que les questions que vous soulevez doivent etre soumises a l'approbation dv prochain Congres Postal Universel. Agreez, &c, Sevastiarceff. Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande a Wellington.

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, respecting the reduced charge for the prepayment of letters forwarded to foreign countries, 1 have the honour to inform you that my office regrets its inability to agree to your proposition, and considers that the question raised should be submitted for the approval of the next Universal Postal Congress.

No. 122. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Alexandria. (Telegram.) Wellington, Bth March, 1901. Grateful for your letter thirty-first January. Kindly fix first April.

No. 123. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister of Posts, Borne. (Telegram.) Wellington, Bth March, 1901. Eeconnaissant de votre lettre 21 Janvier. Veuillez introduire premier Avril.

[Translation.] Obliged for your letter 21st January. Kindly introduce first April.

No. 124. The Director-General of Posts, Eome, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Monsieur le Directeur-General, — Eome, le 13 Mars, 1901. Me referant a votre telegramme dv 8. courant ainsi con9U : " Eeconnaissant de votre lettre 21 Janvier veuil lez introduire premier Avril; " j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que je viens de dormer dcs instructions aux bureaux italiens afin qua partir de la date indiquee les correspondances de la Nouvelle-Zelande en Italic avec l'affranchissment reduit de 1 penny par port de 15 grammes, soient delivrees sans surtaxe.

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Les correspondances non affranchies ou insuffisamment affranchies seront grevees dune surtaxe de 10 ernes pour chaque \ penny manquant. Agreez, &c, Le Chef de Division, 0. Scaglietto. Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Teanslation.] Befebeing to your telegram of Bth instant as below : " Obliged for your letter 21st January Kindly introduce Ist April;" I have the honour to inform you chat I have just given instructions to Italian offices, so that from the above-indicated date correspondence from New Zealand to Italy prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce shall be delivered without surcharge. Unpaid or insufficiently prepaid correspondence will be marked with a surcharge of 10 centimes for each deficiency of \&.

No. 125. The Dieectob - Gbneeal of Posts, Copenhagen, to the Hon. the Postmastee - Genebal, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes, Monsieue le Maltee-Geneeal dcs Postes, — , Copenhagen, le 14 Mars, 1901. En reponse a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer qu'en consideration de la correspondance peu nombreuse echangee entre nos deux pays je n'ai pu trouver de raisons suffisantes pour conclure, conformement a l'Article 21 de la Convention de I'Union postale universelle, un arrangement special avec la Nouvelle-Zelande concernant une reduction de la taxe dcs lettres, de part et d'autre, a 1 penny, et que je ne puis que considerer comme contraire aux dispositions dcs Articles 5 et 10 de la Convention de I'Union postale universelle d'admettre dcs lettres provenant de la Nouvelle-Zelande comme suffisamment affranchies, lorsqu'elles ne sont revetues de timbres-poste qu' a 1 penny. Agreez, &c, C. Svendem. A Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande a Wellington.

[Teanslation.] In-reply to your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, I have the honour to inform you that, in view of the small volume of correspondence exchanged between our two countries, I am unable to find sufficient reason for concluding, in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention of the Universal Postal Union, a special arrangement with New Zealand respecting a mutual reduction of letter postage to Id., and I can only consider as contrary to provisions of Articles 5 and 10 of the Convention of the Universal Postal Union the suggestion to admit letters from New Zealand as sufficiently prepaid when they only bear postage-stamps of Id.

No. 126. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genekal, Wellington, to the Counoilloe Dieeotoe-Geneeal of Posts and Telegeaphs, Lisbon. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 19th March, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th January last, advising that you were unable to agree to the establishing of penny postage between your country and this colony, but would deliver without surcharge letters from New Zealand prepaid at the rate of 10 centimes per 15 grammes. I am much gratified by your prompt and courteous action, which will materially assist towards the consummation of the universal penny-postage scheme. I venture to hope that it will not be long before Portugal is in a position to reduce the postage on letters in the opposite direction to 10 centimes per 15 grammes. The friendship which has in the meantime prompted the concession of delivering New Zealand letters at the lower rate is appreciated. ****** J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. Councillor Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Lisbon, Portugal. [Letters in similar terms were sent to the Hon. the Minister of Posts, Rome (19/3/01); the Postmasters-General, Alexandria (19/3/01) and Liberia (8/7/01); the Administrator-General of Posts, Mexico (19/3/01); the Directors-General of Posts, San Jose (19/3/01), Bangkok (31/3/01), Assumption (1/4/01), Lima (10/4/01), Santiago (10/4/01), and Managua (10/4/01); and the Direc-tor-General of Colonies, Lisbon (10/4/01).]

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No. 127. The Dibectob-Genebal of Posts, Constantinople, to the Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Monsibub le Postmasteb-Geneeal, — Constantinople, le 23 March, 1901. Me referant a la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'adresser le 23 Novembre dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que l'etablissement dun tarif reduit de 10 c. par 15 grammes, pour les relations postales reciproques entre la Turquie et la Nouvelle-Zelande, n'etant pas compatible avec nocre tarif interieur, nous desirons continuer a appliquer aux lettres destinees a la NouvelleZelande le tarif resultant dcs dispositions de la Convention internationale de Washington. Quant aux lettres a destination de la Turquie affranchies sur la base dun penny, je regrette de ne pas pouvoir acquiescer a votre desir attendu que la meme consideration nous oblige a les soumettre a la taxe prevue pour les lettres insuffisaminent affranchies. Agreez, &c. Le Directeur-General dcs Postes, Hussein Hassib. Monsieur le Postmaster-General, Wellington, Nouvelle-Zelande.

[Teanslation.] Befeebing to the letter which you were good enough to address to me on the 23rd November last, I have the honour to inform you that, as the establishing of a reduced tariff of 10 centimes per 15 grammes for the reciprocal postal relations between Turkey and New Zealand would not be compatible with our internal tariff, we desire to continue to apply to letters addressed to New Zealand the tariff resulting from the provisions of the International Conference of Washington. Eespecting letters addressed to Turkey prepaid at the rate of Id., I regret my inability to accede to your request, seeing that the same consideration would oblige us to subject them to the charge provided for insufficiently prepaid letters.

No. 128. The Dieectob-Geneeal of Posts, Stockholm, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes, Stockholm, le 29 Mars, 1901. Monsieub le Postmastee-Geneeal, — Par votre lettre rappel6e en marge vous avez bien voulu me proposer la formation, avec application de l'Article 21 de la convention principale de Washington, dune union restreinte entre la Suede et la Nouvelle-Zelande, en vue de l'introduction dv "penny tarif" (tarif de 10 centimes par 15 grammes) pour les lettres eehangees entre nos deux pays. En reponse, j'ai l'honneur de vous communiquer cc gui suit. II esi bien vrai qu'en vertu de l'article mentionne par vous dcs unions restreintes peuvent etre etablies, en vue de la reduction dcs taxes postales, entre dcs parties contractantes, mais selon mon opinion il n'entrerait guere dans l'esprit dudit article qu'une union restreinte fut etablie dans le but en question entre dcs parties contractantes aussi eloignees l'une de l'autre comme le sont la Suede et les Colonies Britanniques d'Australasie, parties contractantes entre lesquelles il n'existe, dv reste, aucun echange postal direct, tandis que les taxes normales de l'Union postale universelle seraient maintenues dans l'echange entre la Suede et dcs parties contractantes si voisines que 1' Allemagne, par example, avec lesquelles la Suede entretient dcs rapports dcs plus frequents. Et meme s'il ny avait pas de cc point de vue d'obstacles a la realisation dun pareil propos, presente par l'ensemble dcs Colonies Britanniques d'Australasie, son adoption aurait dans tousles cas pour la Suede dcs consequences si incalculables, aussi bien pour cc gui concerne le service interne que pour cc gui est dcs relations avec beaucoup d'autres pays etrangers, que pour ma part je ne saurais le recommander a l'acceptation de mon Gouvernement. M'en rapportant a cc gui precede, je me vois done dans la necessity de decliner votre proposition bienveillante ; et envisageant comme je le fais la question gui nous occupe, je ne suis meme pas en etat de faire delivrer aux destinataires sans taxe les lettres provenant ici de votre Colonie et affranchies a raison dun penny par 15 grammes. Veuillez agreer, Le Directeur-General dcs Postes, P. H. ScHLYTEBK. A Monsieur le Postmaster-General de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Tbanslation.] By your letter mentioned in the margin you were good enough to propose the formation, under Article 21 of the Principal Convention of Washington, of a restricted union between Sweden and New Zealand with a view to introduce penny post for letters exchanged between our two countries.

F.—3.

In reply, I have to inform you as follows : — It is quite true that in virtue of the article mentioned by you a restricted union may be established with a view to reducing postal charges between contracting parties, but, in my opinion, it is hardly in the spirit of the said article that such restricted unions should be established with that object between contracting parties who are so distant from each other as Sweden and the British colonies of Australasia, more especially as between such contracting parties there does not exist any direct postal exchange, while normal charges of the Universal Postal Union are maintained in exchanges between Sweden and contracting parties so near as Germany, for example, with which Sweden maintains the most frequent relations. And even if there were no obstacles to the realisation of such a proposal from this point of view, if presented by the whole of the British colonies of Australasia its adoption would in any case have for Sweden such incalculable consequences, as well for the internal service as in the relations with many foreign countries, that for my part I would be unable to recommend it for the acceptance of my Government. With reference to the above-mentioned matter I am therefore under the necessity of declining your well-intentioned proposals, and, viewing the question as I do, I am not even able to cause to be delivered to addressees, without surcharge, letters coming here from your colony and prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce.

No. 129. The Hon. the Postmaster - Genbeal, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee - General, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist April, 1901. I heartily congratulate you on adopting penny postage within your State. Trust that your example speedily followed by the other States, and the penny rate made universal throughout the Commonwealth, and applied to this colony as well. May I venture to hope that, as you now have an inland penny post, our letters prepaid Id. will be accepted and delivered without surcharge ?

No. 130. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister of Commerce, Vienna. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 9th April, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt" of your letter of the 25th January last, advising that your office could not agree either to the proposed exchange of letters between our respective countries at the rate of Id. per half-ounce or to the receipt without surcharge of such letters from New Zealand. I much regret to learn your decision in this matter, more especially as the administrations of Chili, Costa Eica, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Portuguese colonies, Siam, and Switzerland have readily agreed to consider our penny letters as fully prepaid. In view of the fact that the countries mentioned have seen no difficulty in agreeing to the proposal for penny postage in one direction, I should be obliged if you would again give the question your consideration, in the hope that you may yet be able to see your way to at least deliver penny letters from New Zealand without surtax. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Hon. the Minister of Commerce, Vienna. [Letters in similar terms sent to the Hon. the Imperial Minister for War (in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina) (9/4/01) ; the Director-General of Finances, Luxembourg '9/4/01); the DirectorsGeneral of Posts, Budapesth (9/4/01), Madrid (9/4/01), Hague (9/4/01), Brussels (9/4/01), Bucharest (9/4/01), Sofia (9/4/01), Rio de Janeiro (9/4/01), Athens (9/4/01), Tunis (9/4/01), San Domingo (9/4/01), Copenhagen (2/5/01), Christiania (2/5/01), St. Petersburg (17/5/01), Stockholm (22/5/01), and Constantinople (22/5/01); and the Secretary-General, Department of Foreign Affairs, Congo Free State (11/6/01).]

No. 131. The Secretary-General, Congo Free State, Department of Foreign Affairs, Brussels, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Etat Independant dv Congo, Deparfcement dcs Affaires Etrangeres, Monsieur le Maltre-Geneeal dbs Postes, — Bruxelles, le 17 Avril, 1901. J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser la reception de votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier par laquelle vous avez bien voulu me proposer l'etablissement dune union restreinte entre la NouvelleZelande et l'Etat Independant dv Congo sur les bases de l'Article XXI. de la Convention principale de Washington. L , Administration postale de l'Etat n'a jusqu'ici conclu d'accord de l'espece avec aucune administration de l'Union, c'est dire que le tarif d'affranchissement en vigueur dans notre service est applique uniformement k tousles offices avec lesquels nous entretenons dcs echanges. Je ne pense done pas que la modification gui y seraic apportee se justifieraic pour les relations postales dun seul pays.

6—F. 3.

F.—3.

Je regrette en consequence, Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes, de ne pouvoir accueillir la proposition que vous avez bien voulu me faire par votre depeche precitee. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Secretaire-General, Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes, Wellington. .

[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd November last, in which you were good enough to propose to me a restricted union between New Zealand and the Congo Free State on the basis of Article 21 of the Principal Convention of Washington. The Postal Administration of the State has not up to the present concluded any agreement of the kind with any administration of the union, and the tariff of prepayment in force in our service is therefore applied uniformly to all offices with whom we maintain exchanges. I do not consider that the modification which would be introduced would be justified for the postal relations of a single country. I regret, therefore, Mr. Director-General of Posts, not being able to accept the proposals which you were kind enough to make by your aforesaid communication.

No. 13-2. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, , Belgrade, Servia, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Monsieur le Directeur-General, — Belgrade, le 24 Avril, 1901. Comme suite a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que j'adhere a votre proposition de faire beneficier les correspondances echangees entre nos deux Administrations et dont le poids ne depasserait pas 15 grammes, dune reduction de taxe de 10 centimes = 1 penny. • J'ai donne en consequence les instructions necessaires a mes bureaux interesses. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, Kadylobstch. Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes a Wellington.

[Translation.] With reference to your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, I have the honour to inform you that I accept your proposals to reduce the postage on letters exchanged between our two Administrations to Id. per 15 grammes. The necessary instructions have been given to my officers.

No. 133. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Montevideo, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes de l'Uruguay, Monsieur, — Montevideo, le 30 Avril, 1901. En reponse a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que, tout en reconnaissant les avantages dcs tarifs postaux moderes, cette Direction regrette que ne soit dans ses attributions la reduction dcs tarifs de son service, sans consultation prealable dv Corps Legislatif de eette Eepublique, gui nest pas a meme, pour le moment, de s'en occuper. J'ai pris, neanmoins, bonne note de votre proposition, gui sera soumise, aussitot que possible, a l'approbation superieure. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-General, Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes, Wellington. Honore Boustan.

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of the 23rd November last, I have the honour to inform you that, while recognising the advantages of reduced postal tariffs, this Administration regrets its inability to reduce the tariffs of this service without previous consultation with the Parliament of the Eepublic, which at present is unable to occupy itself with the question. I have therefore taken note of your proposition, which will be submitted as early as possible for higher approval.

F.-3.

No. 134. The Postmaster-General, Monrovia, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, Monrovia, 2nd May, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, bearing date 23rd November, 1900, in reference to the introduction into New Zealand of the penny tariff, and note the suggestion on your part, for the consideration of this Administration, of the formation of a restricted union between the Eepublic of Liberia and New Zealand under Article XXI. of the Principal Convention of Washington. I regret to say that it is not in my power at present to reduce the tariff on letters mailed in Liberia. 1 will, however, deliver to addressees, without tax, letters coming from New Zealand prepaid at the rate of Id. for 15 grammes. I have, &c, F. E. B. Johnson, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Postmaster-General.

No. 135. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Director-General of Swiss Posts, Berne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 10th May, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd February last, asking since when letters have been posted in New Zealand for Switzerland prepaid at Id. per half-ounce, and, in reply, to inform you that the reduced rate was applied on the 9th March last. I beg to enclose for your acceptance a list of the countries, to which New Zealand letters are sent for Id. per half-ounce. To other places the Postal Union rates are charged, except Australia, to which the postage is 2d. per half-ounce. This Department does not now levy a maritime tax of any kind. The postage of Id. per half-ounce is regarded as sufficiently prepaying a letter to or from the countries named in the list. The International Bureau will be advised of the cessation of the maritime tax on post-cards. I have, &c, W. Gray, The Director-General of Swiss Posts, Berne. For the Postmaster-General.

No. 136. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Director-General of Posts, Eome. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 15th May, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your letter of the 13th March last, advising that you had given instructions to offices under your control to deliver free of surcharge correspondence from New Zealand for Italy prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I have, &c, Thomas Eose, The Director-General of Posts, Eome. For the Postmaster-General.

No.. 137. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Brussels, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Monsieur, — Administration dcs Postes, Bruxelles, le 21 Mai, 1901. Comme suite a votre lettre dv 9 Avril dr., j'ai l'honneur de vous confirmer ma reponse dv 14 Janvier, 1901. Aux termes de l'Art. 21 de la Convention principale de Washington, un arrangement special devrait etre conclu par voie diplomatique entre nos deux pays pour que les lettres de la NouvelleZelande a destination de la Belgique, affranchies a raison dun penny par demi-once, pussent etre remises sans taxe aux destinataires. L'Administration dcs postes Beige ne pourrait pas recommander un tel arrangement a son gouvernement parce que cet arrangement aurait pour effet de deroger, au profit dune dcs parties contractantes seulement, a une dcs dispositions fondamentales de la convention d'Union postale universelle. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, A Monsieur le Postmaster-General, Wellington. .

[Translation.] With reference to your letter of the 9th April last, I have the honour to confirm my reply of the 14th January, 1901. In terms of Article 21 of the Principal Convention of Washington, a special agreement would have to be concluded through diplomatic channels between our two countries to have letters from New Zealand addressed to Belgium, prepaid at Id. per half-ounce delivered without charge to the addressee. The Belgian Administration of Posts could not recommend such an agreement to its Government, because it would practically abrogate in favour of one of the contracting parties only, one of the fundamental provisions of the Convention of the Universal Postal Union.

F,—3.

No. 138. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Madrid, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Monsieur, — Direccion General de Correos y Telegrafos, Madrid, le 22 Mai, 1901. Par votre lettre dv 9 Avril dernier, vous avez bien voulu me demander d'admettre dans le service de mon Administration, comme pleinement affranchies, les lettres provenant de vos bureaux et affranchies a raison de 1 penny par port simple. Vous citess a l'appui de votre demande l'exemple de diverses Administrations gui out repondu favorablement a une enquece semblable. J'ai l'honneur de vous informer qu'il m'est impossible d'agreer a votre proposition. J'estime, ainsi, que j'ai deja eu l'honneur de vous I'indiquer, qu'il doit y avoir reciprocite dans les prix fixes a la correspondance echangee entre deux pays, et que les correspondances dv service international ne doivent pas jouir de benefices gui ne seront pas accordes a celles dv service interne. Je ne puis done, a mon grand regret, que vous confirmer les conclusions de ma lettre dv 11 Janvier dernier. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-General, A Monsieur le Postmaster-General de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Translation.] By your letter of the 9th April last you were good enough to request me to admit in the service of my Administration, as fully prepaid, letters from your office prepaid at Id. per single rate. You mention in support of your request the example of several Administrations who have favourably replied to a similar inquiry. I have the honour to inform you that lam unable to agree to your proposal. I consider, as I have already had the honour of intimating to you, that there should be reciprocity in the postage fixed for correspondence exchanged between our two countries, and that correspondence for the international service should not enjoy benefits which are not granted to the inland service. I am only able, therefore, to my great regret, to confirm the decision of my letter of 11th January last.

No. 139. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, The Hague, to the Hon. the PostmastekGeneral, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes dcs Pays-Bas, Monsieur le Maltre-General,— La Haye, le 22 Mai, 1901. Comme suite a votre lettre dv 9 Avril dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous faire eonnaitre que je dois persister a considerer votre proposition comme inacceptable, haut en cc gui concerne l'etablissement dune union restreinte, en vue de la reduction dcs taxes, qu'en cc gui regarde la distribution sans taxe dcs lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour les Pays-Bas, affranchies d'apres la taxe dun penny. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-General, A Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes a Wellington. .

[Translation.] In reply to your letter of the 9th April last, I have the honour to inform you that I must persist in considering your proposals as inacceptable, both as to the establishment of a restricted union with the object of reducing charges as well as the delivery without charge of letters from New Zealand for the Netherlands prepaid according to the penny tariff.

No. 140. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Tunis, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Office dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Tunis, le 23 Mai, 1901. Monsieur le Maltre-General, — Me referant a votre lettre eh date dv 9 Avril dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous faire eonnaitre que je ne puis que confirmer les renseignements que je vous ai donne le 23 Janvier, relativement & l'impossibilite de faire delivrer sans taxe aux destinataires en Tunisie les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande gui seraient affranchies a raison dun penny par 15 grammes. ■ Je regrette done de ne pouvoir accepter votre proposition. Veuillez agreer, &c, pour Le Directeur de l'Office, Le Sous-Directeur, , Monsieur le Maitre-General dcs Postes, Wellington.

j\— 8.

[Teanslation.] Befebring to your letter of the 9th April last, I have the honour to inform you that I am only able to confirm the information conveyed to you on the 23rd January last, intimating the impossibility of delivering without surcharge to addressees in Tunis letters originating in New Zealand which are prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I regret being unable to accept your proposition.

No. 141. The Under-Secketaey of State for Posts and Telegraphs, Paris, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Monsieue,— Paris, le 25 Mai, 1901. Vous avez bien voulu, par votre lettre dv 9 Avril dernier, me prier d'examiner de nouveau s'il ne serait pas possible a mon office de faire distribuer sans taxe, les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande, affranchies a raison de 1 penny par 15 grammes ou fraction de 15 grammes. Un nouvel examen de cette question n'a fait que confirmer la maniere de voir exposee dans ma lettre dv 15 Janvier dernier. II m'est, en effet, impossible par suite dcs dispositions reglementaires de mon administration, d'accepter, quant a present, vos propositions et je vous en exprime tous mes regrets. Veuillez agreer, &c, Pour le Sous-Secretaire d'Etat dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes : Le Directeur de l'Exploitation Postale, Jacobey. Monsieur le Maitre-G&ie'ral dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, a Wellington.

[Teanslation.] You were good enough in your letter of the 9th April last to request me to again examine whether it would not be possible for my office to undertake delivery without surcharge of letters originating in New Zealand prepaid at Id. per 15 grammes or fraction thereof. A further examination of the question has only caused the confirmation of the view previously expressed in the letter of the 15th January last. In fact, it is quite impossible, in consequence of the regulations of my Administration, to accept for the present your propositions, and I beg to express my regret therefor.

No. 142. The Dibector-General of Posts, Rio de Janeiro, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Directoria Geral dos Correios, Rio de Janeiro, 30 de Maio, de 1901. Se. Dieectoe-Geeal, — Em resposta ao vosso officio, de 9 de Abril ultimo, no qual propondes a. esta Directoria que seja feita a entrega das cartas-penny, procedentes da Nova-Zelandia, sem sobre taxa, tenho a honra de vos declarar que o caso c igual ao que ja for respondido em meu officio No. 6, de 12 de Janeiro do corrente anno, por isso que, nao podendo o Correio Brazileiro acquiescer a reciprocidade da reduccao de taxa proposta, nao pode outrosim dispensar a cobranca da insufficiencia, que the pertence, ex-vi do No. 3 do Art. 5 da Conven9ao principal de Washington c que constitue uma parte de suo renda, conforme o Art. 34, do Eegulamento postal do meu paiz. Altm disso, c minha opiniao que a taxa postal internacional nao pode ser modificada a arbitrio desta Directoria, porquanto c ella firrna da por urn acto do Congresso Postal, a que todos os paizes adherentes tern de obedecer. Reitero-vos, &c, O Director-Geral, Sr. Director-Geral dos Correios da Nova-Zelandia em Wellington.

[Teanslation.] In reply to your letter of the 9th April last, in which you proposed to this Direction that letters originating in New Zealand should be delivered without surcharge, I beg to inform you that the case remains the same as when dealt with in my reply of the 12th January of the current year, in which the Brazilian office stated that it could not acquiesce in any mutual reduction of charges, nor could it dispense with the surcharge in case postage were not at rates given at paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the principal Convention of Washington, which forms part of the Post Office Regulations of this country (Article 34). I should, moreover, remark that, in my opinion, the international postal charges cannot be modified arbitrarily by this direction, because they are fixed by an Act of a Post Office Congress which all adhering countries are obliged to obey.

F.—3.

No. 143. The Director-General of Posts, Berlin, to the General Post-Office, Wellington. Kaiserlich Deutsches Eeichs-Postamt, Berlin, W. 66, den 31 Mai, 1901.. Das Keichs-Postamt bedauert, dem dortseitigen Vorsehlage, die aus Neu-Seeland abgesendeten, mit einem Penny fur je 15 g (-J Unze) frankirten Briefe den Emphfangern in Deutschland ohne Nachtaxe zuzustellen, auch nach wiederholter Priifung nicht zustimmen zu konnen. Das Grundprincip dcs Weltpostvertrages, dass jede Verwaltung dass yon ihr erhobene Briefporto ungetheilt bebalt, hat die Gleichheit der Tarife zur Voraussetzung und lasst daher diesseitigen Erachtens em solches Yerfahren nicht zu. Die bezuglich der Zuschlagtaxen im Verein vorgesehene Ausnahme ist yon Anfang an nur als voriibergehend gedaoht worden und verschwindet yon Jahr zu Jahr mehr. Director-General of Posts, General Post Office, Wellington. .

[Translation.] The Imperial Post-Office regrets its inability, after renewed examination, to agree to New Zealand's proposition that letters from New Zealand prepaid at a penny per 15 grammes (per half-ounce) be delivered to addressees in Germany without surcharge. The fundamental principle of the Universal Postal Union that each Administration should retain its own postages is based on the presumption of equality of tariffs, and precludes, therefore, the adoption of such a course here. The surcharges in the Union which form the exception to the above principle were from their initiation considered as transitory, and disappear from year to year.

No. 144. The Director-General of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones, Sofia, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes, dcs Telegraphes et dcs Telephones, Sofia, le 19 Mai (1 Juin), 1901. Monsieur le Directeur-General, — J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser la reception de votre lectre en date dv 9 Avril ecoule et de vous faire connaitre que j'ai examine de nouveau la question au sujet de la reduction de l'unite de la taxe a percevoir pour les lettres echangees entre nos deux pays et eventuellement de reeonnaicre comme dument affranchies toutes les lettres originaires de votre office, a destination de Bulgarie, dont le port d'affranchissement consisterait en -J once 10 centimes. En reponse, je viens de vous reiterer mes considerations anterieures et de vous informer que dv moment que les taxes aux lettres dans nos relations interieures, sont superieures a celles proposees par vous, il m'est impossible a mon tres vif regret, de me rallier a, votre proposition, nonobstant qu'elle me parait contraire a l'esprit dcs stipulations de l'Article 20 de la Convention Postale Universelle. Agreez, Monsieur, &c. Le Directeur-General, A Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes, Wellington.

[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 9th April, and to inform you that I have again looked into the question of the reduction of the unit of postage to be levied on letters exchanged between our two countries, and the proposal to eventually recognise as fully prepaid all letters originating from your office addressed to Bulgaria on which prepayment is made at the rate of Id. per half^ounce. In reply, I beg to reiterate my previous reply, and to inform you that for the present the charges on letters in our internal relations are greater than those proposed by you, and it is therefore impossible for me, though with keen regret, to accept your proposal, notwithstanding that it would appear to be contrary to the spirit of Article 20 of the Universal Postal Convention.

No. 145. The Director-General of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones, Bucharest, Eoumania, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes, dcs Telegraphes, et dcs Telephones, Monsieur le Maltbe-General, — Bucharest, le 8 Juin, 1901. Me referant a votre lettre dv 9 Avril dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous communiquer que nous ne pouvons accepter votre proposition et que nous maintenons la reponse que nous vous avons donne par notre note No. 2448 dv 5 Fevrier dernier. . ■ ■ Agreez, &c, p. Le Directeur-General, Le Chef dv Service, Monsieur Iβ Maitre-General dcs Postes a Wellington. .

BUrft

[Translation.] With reference to your letter of 9th April last, I have the honour to inform you that we are unable to accept your proposals, and that we maintain the reply which was given you in our letter of sth February last.

No. 146. The Sbcrbtaey, General Post Office, London, to the Hon. the Postmastee-GenebaT;, Wellington. Sic, — General Post Office, London, 13th June, 1901. Adverting to the letter from this office of the 12th October last, in which you were informed of the interest naturally taken by the Postmaster-General in looking forward to the outcome of your proposals to negotiate for a reduced letter postage between New Zealand and foreign countries, I am directed to ask whether you are now in a position to favour the Marquess of Londonderry with full particulars of the result of your negotiations. The Postmaster-General supposes that this inquiry can hardly be premature, seeing that some details already appear to have been communicated by yourself and your officers either directly or indirectly to members of Parliament and to the Press in this country. Through Mr. Henniker Heaton, M.P., the Postmaster-General learned some time ago that you had concluded a unilateral arrangement with the Egyptian Post Office, and this intelligence was authenticated by application to that office. From a newspaper report, of which a copy is enclosed, it is now gathered that you have secured a similar concession from several other foreign Post Offices, and that interesting correspondence has passed between yourself and the German Post Office on the subject. The Postmaster-General is sure that you will appreciate his anxiety to have early and complete information on this important matter from yourself, instead of depending, as he has hitherto had to depend, on such second-hand reports respecting it as may reach him at haphazard from unauthoritative quarters. I am, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. H. Buxton Foeman.

Enclosure in No. 146. [Extract from Daily Express dated the 11th June, 1901.] The foreign Administrations of Chili, Costa Eica, Nicaragua, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Siam, and Switzerland have notified that they will accept New Zealand penny letters, although not at present prepared to reciprocate. Germany has sent a lengthy letter giving reasons why the New Zealand Postmaster-General's proposals cannot be accepted at present, and many of tbe countries desire that the question beheld" over until it can be discussed at the next Universal Postal Union Congress, which will be held at Rome in 1902.

No. 147. The Hon. the Impebial Ministee of Commerce, Vienna, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal Wellington. Monsieub le Directeur-Genebal, — Vienna, le 13 Juin, 1901. Me referant a votre lettre dv 9 Avril dr., je regrette d'etre dans la necessite de vous repeter qu'il m'est impossible, pour les motifs que je me suis permis de vous expliquer dans ma lettre dv 25 Janvier, dr., d'ordonner que les lettres originaires de votre pays, a destination de l'Autriche et affranchies a raison dun penny par 15 grammes, soient remises aux destinataires sans surtaxe. Le procede creerait, a mon avis, une exception facheuse au principe de l'uniformite dcs taxes de l'Union postale universelle. Vuillez agreer, &c, Pour le Ministre dv Commerce, Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes a Wellington. .

[Translation.] Eeferring to your letter of the 9th April last, I regret to find myself under the necessity to repeat to you that it is impossible for me, because of the reasons which I took the liberty of explaining to you in my letter of the 25th January last, to arrange that letters originating in your country addressed to Austria and prepaid at Id. per half-ounce be delivered to addressees without surcharge. Such a procedure would create, in my opinion, a regrettable exception to the principle of uniformity of the surcharges of the Universal Postal Union.

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No. 148. The Dieectoe-Geneeal of Posts and Telegraphs, Athens, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes de Grece, Monsibub le Dibecteub-Geneeal, — Athenes, le 31 Mai (13 Juin), 1901. En reponse a votre lettre dv 9 Avril dernier, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que mon Administration partant dv principe dont traite ma precedente ne peut pas aussi accepter dcs correspondances dun port modere sans les taxer a leur arrivee. Les circonstances d'aujourd'hui ne permettent pas a mon office dcs changements pireils. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes a Wellington. A. Roukis.

[Teanslation.] In reply to your letter of the 9th April last, I have the honour to inform you that my Administration, acting on the principle enunciated in my preceding communication, cannot accept correspondence with reduced postage without surcharging it on arrival. The circumstances at the present time do not permit of my office making such changes.

No. 149. The Hon. the Impebial Wab Ministee, Vienna, Austria, to the Genebal Post Office, Wellington. An die General Post Office in Wellington. Wien, am 17 Juni, 1901. In Beantwortung der geschatzten Zuschrift vom 9 April, 1901, beehrt sich das Reichs-Kriegs-Ministerium mitzutheilen, dass es nicht in der Lage ist, yon dem in der hierstelligen Note vom 13 Februar, 1901, pracisierten Standpunkte anzugehen. Fiir den Reichs-Kriegs- Minister,

[Teanslation.] In reply to your esteemed letter of the 9th April, 1901, the Imperial War Ministry has the honour to intimate that it does not see its way to recede from the position notified in communication of the 13th February, 1901.

No 150. The Dikectob-Genebal of Posts and Telegeaphs, Budapesth, to the Hon. the PostmastebGeneeal, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Budapest, le 23 Juin, 1901. MONSIEDE LE PoSTMASTEB-GkNEBAL, — En reponse a votre lettre dv 9 Avril dr., j'ai le regret de devoir vous informer que pour les causes que j'ai eu l'honneur de vous communiquer par ma lettre dv 7 Fevrier dernier il m'est impossible d'adherer a votre proposition tendant a l'application dcs taxes moderes de votre pays. Le principe que les taxes dcs correspondances dans l'echange reciproque entre deux pays doivent etre les memes, ne me permet pas d'ordonner que les lettres originaires de votre pays a destination de la Hongrie et affranchies a raison dun penny par 15 grammes soient traitees comme lettres suffisamment affranchies. Agreez, &c, Le Directeur-General, Monsieur le Postmaster-General a Wellington. Szalaz.

[Tbanslation.] In reply to your letter of the 9th April last, I regret to have to inform you that, for the reasons which I had the honour to communicate to you in my letter of the 7th February last, it is impossible for me to accept your proposition tending to the application of reduced postages to your country. The principle that the charges for correspondence in the reciprocal exchange between two countries should be the same does not permit me to arrange that letters originating in your country addressed to Hungary and prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce be treated as sufficiently prepaid.

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No. 151. The Directok-General of Posts, Christiania, to the Hon. the Postmaster-Geneeal, Wellington. Sir, — Direction General of Posts, Christiania, Norway, 25th June, 1901. In reply to your letter of the 2nd May last, I have the honour to inform you that my Administration, after having reconsidered the matter, cannot accept penny letters from New Zealand without surtax as long as the greater part of the European countries has not agreed to consider your penny letters as fully prepaid. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand. Karl Beyn.

No. 152. The Inspectoe-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Batavia, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneeal, Wellington. Service dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes aux Indes Orientales Neerlandaises, Batavia, le 26 Juin, 1901. Monsieur le Dieecteue-Geneeal, — J'ai 1' honneur de vous accuser reception de votre lettre dv 23 Novembre dernier, par laquelle vous proposez d'introduire une taxe moderee de dix centimes par 15 grammes, pour les lettres echangees entre la Colonie de la Nouvelle-Zelande et celle dcs Indes Orientales Neerlandaises. En reponse je m'empresse de vous informer que mon Administration, ayant etc appelee a la revision generale dcs taxes postales dcs Indes Orientales Neerlandaises, vient de soumettre a l'appreciation de son Gouvernement la proposition de reduire toutes les taxes applicables aux lettres et autres objects postaux, echanges dans les relations tant internes qu'internationales de cette colonie. Avant d'examiner votre proposition qu'une Union plus restreinte soit etablie entre nos deux colonies aux termes de l'Article 21 de la Convention principale de Washington, il convient, comme il parait, d'attendre jusqua cc que l'autorite superieure a la Haye veuille bien se declarer au sujet de la proposition de moderer generalement les taxes postales dcs Indes Orientales Neerlandaises. Veuillez agreer, &c, L'lnspecteur-General, A Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes . de la Nouvelle-Zelande a Wellington.

[Tbanslation.] I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd November last, in which you propose introducing a reduced charge of 10 centimes per 15 grammes for letters exchanged between the Colony of New Zealand and the Dutch East Indies. In reply, I hasten to inform you that my Administration, having been called upon to undertake the general revision of the postal charges of the Dutch East Indies, has just submitted for the approval of its Government the proposition to reduce all charges applicable to letters and other Pose Office articles exchanged in the internal as well as the international relations of this colony. Before examining your proposal that a more restricted union be established between our two colonies, in terms of Article 21 of the Principal Convention of Washington, it would seem best to wait until the superior authorities at the Hague have come to a decision on the proposition for generally reducing the postal charges of the Dutch East Indies.

No. 153. The Hon* the Postmaster-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Director-General of Posts, Belgrade. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th April last, agreeing to the interchange between our respective countries of letters prepaid at the rate of Id. per halfounce, or 10 centimes per 15 grammes. I am much gratified by your prompt and courteous action, which will materially asist towards the consummation of the universal penny-postage scheme. I have, &c. The Director-General of Posts, Belgrade, Servia. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General.

No. 154. The Directoe, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Monsietje le Postmaster-General, — Berne, le 8 Juiliet, 1901 Par lettre dv 21 Mai dernier, vous avez bien voulu me faire connaitre, entre autres, que la taxe d'affranchissement dcs lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour le Eoyaume-Uni, pour un certain nombre de colonies et protectorats britanniques et pour les pays suivants: Chili, Costa-Bica,

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Egypte, Italic, Mexique, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Perou, Portugal and colonies portugaises, Siiam et Suisse, est reduite a Id. par £ once ou fraction de -J once, et me demander de rectifier en consequence le Eecueil reparti par ma circulaire dv 5 Septernbre, 1899, No. 5237/233. En reponse a cette communication, je me permets de vous faire remarquer, Monsieur le Post-master-General, qua mon avis, la taxe dcs lettres echangees entre la Nouvelle-Zelande et un pays de l'Union autre que la Grande-Bretagne et les colonies et protectorats britanniques, ne peut pas etre reduite, ni dans les deux sens, ni dans un sens seulement, par simple entente administrative. Pour Tun comme pour l'autre cas, il est necessaire, suivant moi, de conclure un arrangement d'Etat, conformement au § 2 de I'Article 21 de la Convention principale. En consequence, avant de faire la rectification dont il s'agit, j'ai l'honneur de vous prier de vouloir bien me faire connaitre si votre Gouvernement a conclu un arrangement de cc genre avec le Gouvernement de chacun dcs pays ci-dessus soulignes, en vue de la reduction en question. Au mois de Janvier dernier, j'ai prie quelques-unes dcs Administrations que j'avais suppose avoir etc pressenties par votre office sur sa proposition de reduction de taxe, de vouloir bien me faire connaitre dans quel sens elles se sont prononcees. Vous trouverez ci-joint, a litre de renseignements, le resume dcs observations que ces Administrations mont h fait parvenir en reponse a ma demande. Vous me priez, en outre, de remplacer dans la note (40) Nouvelle-Zelande (a) de la page 26 dv Eecueil, les mots "colonies de l'Australasie," par les mots " Australian States." Pour eviter tout malentendu, j'ai besom de savoir quelles sont les colonies precedemment connues sous le norn de colonies britanniques de l'Australasie gui font partie dcs Australian States. Je vous prie de vouloir bien aussi me fixer sur cc point. L'annexe de votre lettre mentionne Nigeria (Northern) et Nigeria (Southern) comme devant beneficier de la taxe dcs lettres de Id. par port simple. Je crois devoir vous faire remarquer que l'Office de la Grande-Bretagne ma fait connaitre dans le temps que le Protectorat de la Cote dv Niger et le Territoire dv Niger sont admis au benefice de cette tax moderee. (Voir la note : 15, Grande-Bretagne (a) de la page 10 dv Eecueil). Je vous vous serais done oblige de vouloir bien me faire savoir s'il ne vous parait pas indique de vous en tenir deux denominations adoptees par la Grande-Bretagne. Quant a la taxe de 2Jd. que percoit votre office pour les reclamations relatives a dcs objets reeommandes quand il n'a pas etc demande un avis de reception (colonne 27 dv Eecueil), il en a deja etc donne avis aux Administrations de l'Union par ma circulaire dv 7 Mai, 1900, No. 2501/116. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur, Monsieur le Postmaster-General, a Wellington. Eufpt.

Enclosure in No. 154. EeSUMB DES EePONSES FAITES PAB LBS AdMINISTBATIONS CI-APEt!S INDIQUEES AUK PROPOSITIONS de l'Office de la Nouvelle-Zelande. Allemagne. —Voit dans la proposition de la Nouvelle-Zelande d'introduire, pour les lettres, la taxe de 1 penny (10 centimes) dans ses rapports avec tousles pays de l'Union, la preuve que, sous l'influence dcs institutions de l'Union, le service postal dcs colonies australiennes, gui leur permettait a peine d'adherer a la Convention principale en 1891, a subi depuis lors une transformation complete dans le sens dcs idees de progres gui sont ala base de l'Union. Ainsi que l'Administration de la Nouvelle-Zelande en a etc informee par la circulaire dv Bureau international de l'Union postale universelle dv 3 Mai, 1899, No. 2728/111, l'Allemagne a adopte, pour les relations avec ses colonies, ainsi que pour les relations de ces colonies entre elles, dcs reductions de taxes encore bien plus considerables que celle gui fait l'objet de la proposition de cette Administration. L'Office allemand est done en principe sympathique a l'idee de reduire aussi le tarif dcs lettres dans les rapports entre l'Allemagne et les colonies allemandes, dune part, et la Nouvelle-Zelande, d'autre part. Toutefois, le moment de realiser une semblable mesure ne parait pas encore venu. Le public allemand ne comprendrait pas pourquoi le tarif dcs lettres pour un pays aussi eloigne que la Nouvelle-Zelande serait reduit, tandis que celui dcs lettres pour dcs pays plus rapproches et en particulier pour les pays limitrophes serait maintenu au taux actuel de 20 pfennig par J5 grammes. D'ailleurs, en raison de la grande portee financiers que les Administrations interessees ne peuvent pas perdre de vue, l'Office allemand estime qu'il est impossible de reduire a bref delai, dans les rapports avec les pays dont il s'agit, la taxe dcs lettres selon la proposition de la Nouvelle-Zelande. Dans tousles cas, la fixation de cette taxe est intimement lice a la question si difficile dv transit. Dans ces conditions, l'Office allemand regrette de ne pouvoir se rallier dcs maintenant a la proposition de l'Administration de la Nouvelle-Zelande et il prie cette Administration de vouloir bien examiner s'il ne conviendrait pas de soumettre au prochain Congres eette question si importante pour le developpement de l'Union. Quant a, la partie de la proposition concernant la remise sans taxe dcs lettres de la NouvelleZelande pour l'Allemagne, gui seraient afiranchies a raison de 1 penny par 15 grammes, l'Office allemand fait remarquer qu'il ne parait pas admissible d'adopter pour les lettres de la NouvelleZelande a destination de l'Allemagne un tarif different de celui dcs lettres de l'Allemagne a destination de la Nouvelle-Zelande. De l'avis de l'Office allemand, une semblable maniere de proeeder serait contraire a, un dcs principes fondamentaux de I , Union, celui de la reciprooite. Une derogation a cc principe nest admise qu'en cc gui concerne les surtaxes (Article 5, § 2, de la Convention principale). Autriche. —Eegrette de ne pouvoir adherer a la proposition d'introduire le tarif modere de 1 penny par port simple pour les lettres echangees entre l'Autriche et la Nouvelle-Zelande. Dcs

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taxes moderees pour les lettres ne s'appliquent, en cc gui concerne l'Autriche, que dans les relations avec quelques pays voisins. L'adoption dune taxe moderee dans le service international en general entrainerait dcs pertes trop considerables, tandis que I'introduction dune telle mesure dans l'echange" avec un seul pays eloigne ne repondrait pas a un besom reel dv trafic. En raison dv principe de reciprocite, il nest pas possible a, l'Office autrichien de faire distribuer sans taxe les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande, gui seraient affranchies seulement 1 penny au lieu de 2-J- pence par 15 grammes. Belgique. —Desire s'en tenir aux dispositions de FArticle 5 de la Convention principale de Washington, pour cc gui concerne le tarif dcs correspondanees dans ses relations reciproques avec les pays de l'Union. L'Office beige regrette done ne pouvoir adherer a la proposition de conclure un arrangement special en vue d'adopter dans les relations avec la Nouvelle-Zelande une taxe d'affranchissement inferieure a. celle de l'Union, soit pour les lettres echangees entre les deux pays, soit seulement pour celles gui seraient expediees de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Belgique. De l'avis de l'Office beige le statu quo doit etre maintenu; e'est au prochain Congres qu'il appartiendra d'apprecier l'opportunite dune reduction de la taxe dcs lettres dans l'Union. France. —II a etc repondu au Post Office de la Nouvelle-Zelande, que dune part, la France ne pouvait en cc moment conclure une union restreinte en vue de l'abaissement de la taxe dcs lettres echangees entre les deux pays et que, d'autre part, I'Administration francaise ne pouvait delivrer sans taxe les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande affranchies seulement 1 penny par 15 grammes, cette modification devant detruire la parite dcs tarifs entre les deux pays et creer en faveur dcs expediteurs de la Nouvelle-Zelande un traitement privilegie de 60 °/> gui ne manquerait pas d'etre critique. Hongrie. — Desire aussi, en principe, la reduction dv tarif dcs correspondanees internationales, mais a la condition que la reduction soit introduite dans l'echange entre les pays limitrophes ou, en general, dans les rapports avec tousles pays de l'Union. Aussi longtemps que les taxes actuelles restent en vigueur dans l'echange entre les pays europeens, l'Office hongrois nest pas a meme de se rallier a une reduction de taxe pour les correspondanees a echanger avec n'importe quel pays hors d'Europe. En consequence, il regrette de ne pouvoir accepter la proposition ni en cc gui concerne l'echange reciproque, ni en cc gui concerne les lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour la Hongrie. L'Administration italienne a fait eonnaltre a l'Office de la Nouvelle-Zelande qu'elle ne peut pas adherer a la proposition de reduire a 10 centimes par 15 grammes la taxe dcs lettres originaires de I'ltalie pour cc pays, les exigences dv Tresor italien s'y opposant, mais que, par contre, rien ne s'oppose a cc que les lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour I'ltalie, affranchies a raison de 1 penny par port simple, soient delivrees sans taxe aux destinataires. L'Administration suisse a informe l'Office de la Nouvelle-Zelande qu'elle est disposee a faire delivrer sans taxe, jusqu'a nouvel ordre, les lettres de eepays affranehies a reason de 1 penny par 15 grammes, a, la condition qu'elles parviennent dans le service suisse sans aucun signe les designant comme insuffisamment affranchies.

[TRANSLATION.] By letter of 21st May last you were good enough to inform me, amongst other matters, that the charge for prepayment of letters from New Zealand for the United Kingdom, for a certain number of British colonies and protectorates, and for the following countries : Chili, Costa Eica, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Portuguese colonies, Siam, and Switzerland, is reduced to Id. per half-ounce or fraction of half-ounce, and to request me to rectify therefore the summary distributed with my circular of sth September, 1899 (No. 5237-233). In reply to that communication, I permit myself to remark, Mr. Director-General, that in my opinion the charge for letters exchanged between New Zealand and countries of the union other than Great Britain and British colonies and protectorates cannot be reduced either in both directions or in one only by simple administrative agreement. In either case it is necessary, in my opinion, to conclude a State agreement according to paragraph 2 of Article 21 of the Principal Convention. Therefore, before making the rectification in question, I have the honour to beg of you to kindly inform me if your Government has concluded an agreement of this kind with the Governments of each of the above-named countries with a view to the reduction in question. In the month of January last I requested some of the Administrations, which I presume had been approached by your office on the proposal of the reduction of the charge, to kindly advise me in which sense they pronounced themselves. You will find here enclosed, by way of information, the resume of observations which these Administrations forwarded me in response to my request. You request me, moreover, to replace in note (40), New Zealand (a), page 26 of summary, the words " Colonies of Australasia " by the words " Australian States." In order to obviate any misunderstanding, I should be informed which are the colonies formerly known under the name of the "British Colonies of Australasia " which form part of the Australian States, and I beg of you to kindly advise me on this point. Be annex of your letter mentioning Nigeria (Northern) and Nigeria (Southern) as coming under the letter charge of Id. per single rate, I should inform you, that the Office of Great Britain has notified me some tune ago that the Protectorate of the Niger Coast and the Nigerian Territory are admitted to the benefits of such reduced charge (see note 15, Great Britain

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(a), page 10 of summary). I should therefore feel obliged if you would kindly inform me if it would not appear to you expedient to keep to the names adopted by Great Britain. As to the charge of 2-J-d. which your office levies for inquiries relating to registered articles when no acknowledgment of delivery has been prepaid (column 27 of summary), the question has already been advised to Administrations of the Union by circular of 7th March, 1900, No. 2501/116.

Enclosure. Besumes of Replies by the Undermentioned Administkations on Pjroposition of the New Zealand Office. Germany Sees in the proposition of New Zealand to introduce for letters a charge of Id. (10 centimes) in its relations with all the countries of the union a proof that, under the influence of the institutions of the union, the postal services of the Australian Colonies, which barely permitted them to adhere to the Principal Convention of 1891, has since then undergone a complete transformation in the sense of the ideas of progress which form the basis of the union. As the Administration of New Zealand was informed by the circular of the International Office of the Universal Postal Union of 3rd May, 1899, Germany adopted in its relations with its colonies, as well as for the relations between these colonies themselves, reductions in postages considerably greater than those which form the subject of the proposals of New Zealand Administration. The German office is therefore in principle in sympathy with the idea of reducing the letter tariff in the relations between Germany and German colonies on the one hand and New Zealand on the other. However, the moment of realising such a measure does not appear to have come as yet. The German public would not comprehend why the tariff on letters for a country so distant as New Zealand should be reduced while that of letters for nearer countries, and more particularly for adjoining countries, should be maintained at the present rate of 20 pfennigs per 15 grammes. Moreover, in view of the great financial bearing which the Administrations interested could not lose sight of, the German office considers that it is impossible to reduce at short notice in the relation with the countries in question the letter charge as proposed by New Zealand. In any case, the fixing of this charge is intimately connected with the difficult question of transit. Under these circumstances the German office regrets not being able to agree at this stage to the proposition of the New Zealand Administration, and requests that Administration to kindly see if it would not be convenient to submit to the next Congress this question, which is so important for the development of the union. Respecting the part of the proposition concerning the delivery without surcharge of letters from New Zealand to Germany which would be prepaid at the rate of Id. per 15 grammes, the German office remarks that it would not appear admissible to adopt for letters from New Zealand addressed to Germany a tariff different from that for letters from Germany addressed to New Zealand. In the opinion of the German office such a procedure would be contrary to one of the fundamental principles of the union—that of reciprocity. A derogation from this principle .can only be admitted in respect to surcharges (Article 5, paragraph 2, of the Principal Convention). Austria Regrets being unable to accept the proposal to introduce the reduced tariff of Id. per single rate for letters exchanged between Austria and New Zealand. Reduced charges are only applied in Austria in relations with some neighbouring countries. . The adoption of a reduced rate in the international service generally would entail too heavy a loss, while the introduction of such a measure in the exchange with one distant country would not respond to a real need of the traffic. On the grounds of reciprocity it is not possible to the Austrian office to deliver without surcharge letters originating in New Zealand which are prepaid only Id. in lieu of 2-Jd. per 15 grammes. Belgium Desires to keep to the provisions of Article 5 of the Principal Convention of Washington in respect to the tariff for correspondence in its reciprocal relations with the countries of the union. The Belgian office regrets not being able to accept the proposition to conclude a special agreement with a view to adopt in the relations with New Zealand a charge for prepayment lower than that of the union, either for letters exchanged between the two countries or solely for those which might be sent from New Zealand addressed to Belgium. In the opinion of the Belgian office the status quo should be maintained, leaving it to the next Congress to appreciate the opportunity for a reduction in the letter charge within the union. France Has replied to the Post Office of New Zealand that, on the one hand, France could not at this moment conclude a restricted union with a view to lowering the charge on letters exchanged between the two countries, and, on the other hand, the French Administration could not deliver without surcharge letters originating in New Zealand prepaid only Id. per 15 grammes, as this modification would destroy the parity of tariffs between the two countries and create in favour of senders from New Zealand a privileged treatment of 60 per cent., which could not fail to provoke criticism. Hungary Desires also in principle the reduction of the tariff of international correspondence, but on condition that the reduction be introduced in the exchanges between adjoining countries, or generally in the

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relations with all the countries of the union. As long as the present charges remain in force in the exchange between European countries the Hungarian office is not able to agree to a reduction in the charges for correspondence to be exchanged with any country outside Europe. It regrets, therefore, not being able to accept the proposition either in respect of reciprocal exchanges or in regard to letters from New Zealand for Hungary. Italy. The Italian Administration has notified to the New Zealand office that it cannot accept the proposition to reduce to 10 centimes per 15 grammes the charge on letters originating in Italy for New Zealand, as the exigencies of the Italian Treasury are opposed to such a course, but, on the other hand, it sees no objection to letters from New Zealand for Italy prepaid at Id! per single rate being delivered to addressees without surcharge. Switzerland. The Swiss Administration has informed the New Zealand office that it is prepared to deliver without surcharge, until further advised, letters from that country prepaid at the rate of Id. per 15 grammes, on condition that they reach the Swiss service without any indorsement designating them as insufficiently prepaid.

No. 155. The Dibectob-Genebal of Posts and Telegeaphs, St. Petersburg, to the Hon. the PostmasterGenbbal, Wellington. Monsieue le Dibecteue-General,— St. Petersbourg, le 28 Juin (11 Juillet), 1901. En reponse a votre lettre dv 17 Mai, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que mon office maintient son opinion premiere emise par ma lettre dv 3 Mars de cette anee. Veuillez agreer, &c, Pour le Directeur-General, Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande a Wellington.

[Teanslation.] In reply to your letter of 17th May, I have the honour to inform you that my office maintains its first opinion enunciated in my letter of 3rd March of this year.

No. 156. The Dieector-Genebal of Posts, Stockholm, to the Hon. the Postmastbe-Gbneeal, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes, Stockholm, le 12 Juillet, 1901 Monsieue le Postmasteb-Genebal,' — En reponse a la lettre rappelee en marge concernant votre proposition d'introduire le tariff modere de 1 penny (10 centimes) par port simple pour les lettres echangees entre nos deux pays, et apres nouyel examen de l'affaire, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que mon Administration nest toujours pas a meme d'accepter votre proposition mentionnee ni non plus de satisfaire a votre demande de faire delivrer aux destinataires suedois sans taxe les lettres originaires de la NouvelleZelande et affranchies seulement 1 penny par une demi-once. En me referant, a cc sujet, aux motifs allegues dans la lettre de mon Administration dv 29 Mars dernier, j'ajoute qu'il donnerait sans doute lieu a dv mecontentement chez les correspondants suedois, si les lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Suede pouvaient etre affranchies seulement a raison de 10 centimes par 15 grammes, tandis que les lettres de la direction contraire seraient soumises a la taxe ordinaire de 25 centimes par 15 grammes. Veuillez agreer, &c, Pour le Directeur-General dcs Postes en son absence, Axel Husbeeg. A Monsieur le Postmaster-General de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Teanslation.] In reply to your letter mentioned in the margin, respecting your proposal to introduce the reduced charge of Id. (10 centimes per 15 grammes) for letters exchanged between our two countries and after a thorough examination of the question, I have the honour to inform you that my Administration is still unable to accept your proposal mentioned above, or to accede to your request to deliver to Swedish addressees without surcharge letters originating in New Zealand and prepaid only Id. per half-ounce. In referring to the reasons given in the letter of my Administration of the 29th March last I may add that it would doubtless cause discontent to Swedish correspondents if letters from New Zealand addressed to Sweden could be prepaid at the rate of 10 centimes per 15 grammes while those in the opposite direction were subject to the ordinary charge of 25 centimes Der 15 grammes. v

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No. 157. The Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Wellington, to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Monte "Video. Sir,— ■ General Post Office, Wellington, 25th July, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th April last, advising that you would submit my request that you should receive without surcharge letters from this colony prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce to the Parliament of your Eepublic. I await a further reply, which, it is hoped, will be favourable. I have, &c, W. Gray, For the Postmaster-General. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Monte Video.

No. 158. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Directob-General of Posts, Berlin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 25th July, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st May last, advising that you were still unable to agree to the receipt without surcharge of letters from this colony prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I learn with regret your decision in the matter. 1 have, &c, W. Gray, The Director-General of Posts, Berlin. For the Postmaster-General. [Letters in similar terms sent to the Directors-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Brussels, Madrid, Stockholm, and Tunis.]

No. 159. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Under- Secretary for State of Posts and Telegraphs, Paris. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 25th July, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th May last, advising that you were still unable to agree either to the proposed exchange of letters between our respective countries at the rate of Id. per half-ounce or to the receipt without surcharge of such letters from New Zealand. I learn with regret that your Administration is unable to see its way to accept our letters at the reduced rate. I have, &c, W. Gray, For the Postmaster-General. The Under-Secretary for State of Posts and Telegraphs, Paris. [Letters of a similar text addressed to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, The Hague, Netherlands; and the Director-General of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones, Sofia, Bulgaria.]

No. 160. The General Secretary, Congo Free State, Department of Foreign Affairs, Brussels, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Etat Independant dv Congo, Departement dcs Affaires Etrangeres, Bruxelles, le 5 Aout, 1901. Monsieur le dcs Postes, — J'ai l'honneur de vous accuser la reception de votre lettre dv 11 Juin dernier, par laquelle vous demandez que les bureaux de l'Administration dcs Postes de l'Btat Independant dv Congo considerent comme regulierement affranchies, a leur arrivee a destination, les correspondances emanant de votre office revetues dun timbre de fr. 010 par 15 grammes. Je me suis empresse de faire examiner la proposition nouvelle que vous voulez bien me soumettre et j'ai le regret de vous informer que je ne puis reserver un accueil favorable a votre demande. En effet, toutes les correspondances que nous recevons dcs offices de l'Union, sont traitees, a leur arrivee dans nos perceptions, dune facon identique et la situation actuelle dv service postal de l'Btat ne lvi permet pas d'aecorder un traitement differential aux correspondances originaires de votre Administration. Je vous serais oblige de vouloir considerer cette decision comme un corollaire de celle gui faisait l'objel de ma depeche dv 17 Avril dernier. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Secretaire General, General Post Office, Wellington. .

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[Translation.] I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 11th June last, in which you requested that offices of the Administration of Posts of the Congo Free State should consider as regularly prepaid on their arrival at destination correspondence emanating from your office prepaid with a stamp of 10 centimes per 15 grammes. I hastened to examine the new proposal which you were good enough to submit, and regret to inform you that lam unable to comply with your request. In fact, all the correspondence which we receive from the offices of the Union is treated on its arrival within our territory in an identical manner, and the present situation of the postal service of the State does not permit of according a differential treatment to correspondence originating from your Administration. I should feel obliged if you would kindly consider this decision as a corollary of the one which formed the subject of my mail of the 17th April last.

No. 161. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 15th August, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th June last, asking whether this Department was in a position to give your office full particulars of the result of the negotiations with foreign Administrations in respect of the proposal for establishing penny postage. The request in your letter of the 12th October of last year had not been overlooked, and the matter was noted for attention during the present month, when, in the ordinary course, a report would be submitted to the Parliament of this colony. The Postmaster-General, however, regrets that, owing to pressure of parliamentary business, he is unable to reply fully by this mail, but hopes to do so by the Suez mail due London on the 30th proximo, and to enclose copies of all letters which have passed between this office and foreign Administrations. In the meantime lam to say that, in addition to the countries concerned in the Imperial penny-postage scheme, Chili, Costa Eica, Egypt, Italy, Liberia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Portuguese colonies, Servia, Siam, and Switzerland have agreed to consider our penny letters as fully prepaid. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 162. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 16th August, 1901. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 13th June last, requesting information in regard to the negotiations concerning this Department's proposals for the reduction in the letter postage to Id. per half-ounce, and, in reply, I beg to enclose herewith copies of the correspondence which has been exchanged between the General Post Office, Wellington, and foreign offices in the matter. Apart from the offices which were previously parties to the penny-postage scheme, the Administrations which have agreed to accept our penny letters as fully prepaid were advised to you in the Secretary's letter of yesterday. The arrangement, as you will observe, is unilateral, except as regards Servia, which has agreed to the reduced rate in both directions. As further replies come to hand I shall be pleased to forward you copies of any that may be of interest. I regret that it has not yet been possible to come to any arrangement with the Australian Commonwealth, which still refuses to accept our penny letters. It was hoped that with the meeting of the Federal Parliament the difficulties which existed would disappear, but so far this has not been the case. I would add that the Department can scarcely be held responsible for newspaper reports in connection with postal matters affecting this colony, which in many instances appear to be based on altogether inaccurate information. I mention this, as I notice it is alleged, quite erroneously, in a London publication that New Zealand has been affixing the amount of deficient postage in stamps to letters for countries which have not agreed to the reduced rate. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, London.

No. 163. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Constantinople, to the Hon. the Post-master-General, Wellington. Direction Generale dcs Postes et dcs Telegraphes, Constantinople, le 21 Aout, 1901. Monsieur le Postmaster-General, — Me referant a la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'adresser le 22 Mai dernier, j'ai l'honneurde vous informer que yules dispositions de ma lettre dv 23 Mars, il ne m'est pas possible de faire considerer comme regulierement affranchies les lettres originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande et soumises au tarif de un penny. Agreez, &c, pr. Le Directeur-General, Monsieur le Postmaster-General, Wellington. M. Fuad.

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[Translation.] Refeering to the letter which you were good enough to address me on the 22nd May last, I have the honour to inform you that, in view of the statements made in my letter of the 23rd March, it is not possible to consider as regularly prepaid letters originating in New Zealand and posted at the penny rate.

No. 164. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Directob-Genebal of Posts and Telegraphs, Tokio. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 31st August, 1901. I have the honour, by direction, to ask that you will kindly favour the PostmasterGeneral with a reply to his letter of the 23rd November last, suggesting that a restricted union might be formed between our Administrations for the establishing of penny postage, or that, at least, letters from New Zealand might be accepted at the reduced rate. I may add that since the letter above quoted was written the Administrations of Chili, Costa Rica, Egypt, Italy, Liberia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Portuguese Colonies, Servia, Siam, and Switzerland have agreed to admit letters from this colony prepaid Id. per half-ounce. In one case, that of Servia, letters in the opposite direction will be charged at the reduced rate. I have, &c, W. Gbay, Secretary. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Tokio, Japan.

No. 165. The Postmaster, Apia, to the General Post Office, Wellington. Kaiserlich Deutsches Postamt, Apia (Samoa), 12 September, 1901. Schon langere Zeit gehen hier Briefsendungen aus Neu Seeland em, welche unzureichend frankirt sind—meistens nur mit Id.—jedoch in den weitans meisten Fallen mit dem "T" Stempel nicht bedruckt sind (Art. VIII., 5, der Vollzugsordnung zum Weltpostvertrag). Indem das Kaiserlich Deutsche Postamt sich beehrt, das General Post Office yon der unrichtigen bezw. ungeniigenden Frankirung der Briefe in Kenntniss zu setzen, kniiptt es daran das ganz ergebene Ersuchen, gefalligst dafiir Sorge tragen zu wollen, dass in Zukunft in Fallen ahnlicher Art das Bedrueken der Briefe mit dem " T " Stempel nicht unterbleibt. General Post Office, Wellington. Teaulb.

[Translation.] Foe some time past letters from New Zealand have been received here which are insufficiently prepaid, mostly Id. only, yet in almost all cases such letters are not stamped "T" (Article 8, clause 5, of Detailed Regulations of Postal Union Convention). The Imperial German Post Office has the honour to notify the General Post Office in respect to the insufficient prepayment of the letters in question, and would add a request that in future cases the omission of the stamp " T " on letters be not continued.

No. 166. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th September, 1901. I have the honour to forward under separate cover 100 copies of the Postmaster-General's report for last year, which I shall be glad if you will distribute to Chambers of Commerce, the editors of newspapers, magazines, &c, with a request that they will take particular notice of the result so far of the efforts of New Zealand to establish a universal penny post. The paragraph will be found on page iv. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 167. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Director-General of Posts, Berlin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 18th October, 1901. Referring to my letter of the 23rd November last, and subsequent correspondence, on the subject of the penny post, I find that I omitted to bring under notice that, prior to the introduction of the penny post, letters for Samoa had for many years been subject to the same rates of postage as those subsisting in this colony for inland matter. When the Reichs Postamt took over the Post Office at Apia, letters continued to be sent at the inland rate, and apparently this has not been questioned until the present time. lam now, however, in receipt of a letter from the Postmaster,

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Apia, calling attention to the fact that letters from New Zealand to Apia should be prepaid at Postal "Union rates. Considering the proximity of Samoa to this colony, and that Postal Union rates had not been considered to apply to Apia, I should be much obliged if your Administration would agree to a special arrangement under which letters might still continue to be forwarded at the New Zealand inland rate. In this connection, I would refer to that portion of your letter of the 15th February last, in ■which you remark that the German public would be unable to comprehend why the letter postage to distant New Zealand should be reduced, and yet for the nearer countries, more especially those in the immediate vicinity, the present rate retained, and express the hope that this difficulty will not apply to the German possessions in Samoa. I have, &c, The Director-General of Posts, Berlin. J. G. Wabd, Postmaster-General.

No. 168. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmasteb, Apia. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 21st October, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th ultimo, stating that letters from New Zealand for Apia are frequently received insufficiently prepaid, but, nevertheless, are not impressed with the " T " stamp. In reply, I have to inform you that, prior to the introduction of the penny postage, letters for Samoa had for many years been subject to the same rates of postage as those subsisting in this colony for inland matter, and this does not appear to have been questioned until the present time. The Postmaster-General is now in communication with the Imperial Post Office at Berlin on the matter. I have, &c,' The Postmaster, Apia, Samoa. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 169. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 6th November, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that a local newspaper publishes a recent article from the Sydney Daily Telegraph on the subject of letters from New Zealand to New South Wales bearing Id. postage being surcharged 2d. at Sydney. The article contains the following :— '■ Some time ago the New Zealand Government, in introducing the penny-postage system, intimated that it would make up the deficiency of Id. on each letter posted to a State where the New Zealand system was not recognised. Unfaithful to its promise, New Zealand, after leading its people to believe that Id. was sufficient, causes a surcharge on every letter of 2d. to be made by the Federal postal authorities. We have been shown several letters of recent date marked ' Double deficient postage,' and upon which the tax has had to be paid. On a previous occasion the matter was brought before Mr. J. Dalgarno (Deputy Postmaster-General), and after making inquiries that gentleman explains: ' With regard to the statement that it was understood that the New Zealand Department would pay any deficient postage on New Zealand letters for Australia, I may state that it would seem, from a paragraph which appeared in your paper on the 9th February last, that the authorities there intended doing so, but no official intimation to that effect has been received by this Department.' I should be obliged if you would kindly say if the newspaper is correct in attributing the statement in question to you. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 170. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 7th November, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth July last, on the subject of the adoption of the universal penny postage by this colony. I note that you are of opinion that a simple administrative agreement with the countries which have agreed to accept our penny letters is not sufficient, and steps are therefore being taken to procure diplomatic action in the matter. When this has been completed you will again be communicated with. In accordance with your request, I have to advise you, in regard to footnote (40) New Zealand (a), page 26 of the summary of general interest, that the following are the names of the colonies now forming the Australian States —namely, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. These are known collectively as the Australian Commonwealth.

B—F. 3.

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As suggested by you, the British nomenclature "Protectorate of the Niger Coast" and the " Niger Territory " will be adopted in including these places in the list of countries accepting letters from New Zealand at the reduced tariff. I have, &c, The Director, International Bureau of the Universal W. Gbay, Secretary. Postal Union, Berne.

No. 171. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, Sydney, 18th November, 1901. Referring to your communication of the 6th instant regarding the remark made in an article from the Sydney Daily I'elegra-ph, published in a New Zealand paper, that I had stated that it would seem, from a paragraph which appeared in that paper on the 9th February last, that the New Zealand authorities intended paying any deficient postage on New Zealand letters for Australia, but no official intimation to that effect had been received from your Department, I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of my letter in which that statement was made, as well as one of the newspaper paragraph referred to. I have, &c, J. Dalgarno, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. . Deputy Postmaster-General.

Enclosure 1 in No.' 171. The Deputy Postmaster-Genekal, Sydney, to the Editor, Daily Telegraph, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Sydney, 16th May, 1901. With reference to the surcharge of 2d. made on a letter posted in New Zealand bearing a Id. postage-stamp only, addressed to Mrs. Hugh McKenzie, 6, Douglas Street, Waterloo, and readdressed to Marsh Street, Arncliffe, the cover of which was submitted by Mr. Nail of your office, I have the honour to inform you that the correct amount of postage on letters from New Zealand to Australia is 2d. per half-ounce, and this Department was advised by the New Zealand Post Office in February last that instructions had been given to its officers to see that all letters posted in that colony to places in Australia were so prepaid prior to their despatch. As, however, such action was not taken in respect to the letter under notice, the surcharge of 2d. was imposed. Regarding the statement that it was understood the New Zealand Department would pay any deficient postage on New Zealand letters for Australia, I may state that it would seem, from a paragraph which appeared in your paper on the 9th February last, that the authorities there intended to do so, but no official intimation to that effect has been received by this Department. I have, &c, J. Dalgarno, The Editor, Daily Telegraph, Sydney. Deputy Postmaster-General.

Enclosure 2 in No. 171. [Extract from Sydney Daily Telegraph, 9th February, 1901.] Wellington, Friday. Postal and Telegraphic Proposals. Speaking with regard to the penny postage, Mr. Seddon said if the States of Australia follow their present course of surcharging penny letters there is nothing to prevent the authorities here seeing that all letters are fully stamped before they leave. The cost will be only the ink and paper upon which the stamps are printed. Of course, the stamps would have to be accounted for, but a vote could be passed by Parliament to meet that. This course would be preferable to allowing individuals to whom letters are sent being penalised in the manner indicated, although, of course, it would be infinitely better if avoided. The existing practice was not in accordance with the Federal spirit which he had found prevailing throughout Australia. * * * * * *

No. 172. The Director, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Monsieur le Postmaster-Geneeal, — Berne, le i Deeembre, 1901. En reponse a la lettre dv 21 Mai dernier, par laquelle vous avez bien voulu me faire connaitre que la taxe d'affranchissement dcs lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande pour le Eoyaume-Uni, pour un certain nombre de colonies et protectorate britanniques et pour les pays suivants : Chili, Costa Eica, Egypte, Italic, Mexique, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Perou, Portugal et colonies portugaises,

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Siam, et Suisse, est reduite a Id. par | once, j'ai eu l'honneur de vous informer le 8 Juillet suivant, sous le No. 3565, qua mon avis, la taxe dcs lettres echangees entre la Nouvelle-Zelande et un pays de l'Union autre que la Grande-Bretagne et les colonies et protectorate britanniques, ne peufc pas etre reduite, ni dans les deux sens, ni dans un sens seulement, par simple entente administrative, et que pour l'un com me pour l'autre cas, il est necessaire, suivant moi, de conclure a cc sujet un arrangement d'Etat avec chacun dcs pays interesses, conformement au § 2 de I'Article 21 de la Convention principale. Par la meme lettre, j'ai eu, en outre, l'honneur de vous prier de vouloir bien me faire connaitre :— (a.) Quelles sont les colonies precedemment connues sous le norn de colonies britanniques de l'Australasie gui font partie dcs Australian States. (b.) Si, comme l'Office de la Grande-Bretagne, vous ne croyez pas devoir vous en tenir, en cc gui conoerne la reduction de la taxe dcs lettres a Id par -|- once, aux denominations de " Protectorat de la Cote dv Niger" et " Territoire dv Niger," au lieu de " Nigeria (Northern) " et "Nigeria (Southern)." Je vous prie de vouloir bien me faire part dcs observations que vous aura suggerees la premiere de ces questions et me fournir les renseignements demandes au sujet dcs deux autres questions ci-dessus rappelees sous les lettres (a) ec (b). Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur, Monsieur le Postmaster-General a Wellington. Euffy.

[TRANSLATION.] In reply to your letter of the 21st May last, by which you were good enough to inform me that the charge for prepayment on letters from New Zealand for the United Kingdom, for a certain number of colonies and British protectorates, and for the following countries : Chili, Costa Eica, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Portuguese colonies, Siam, and Switzerland, has been reduced to Id. per half-ounce, I had the honour to inform you on the Bth July that in my opinion the charge on letters exchanged between New Zealand and the countries of the union other than Great Britain and the British colonies and protectorates cannot be reduced, either in the two directions or in one only, by simple administrative agreement, and that for one case as well as the other it is necessary in my opinion to conclude on this subject a State agreement with each of the countries in question according to paragraph 2 of Article 21 of the Principal Convention. By the same letter I had, moreover, the honour to beg of you to kindly inform me: — (a.) Which of the colonies formerly known under the name of British colonies of Australasia form part of the Australian States. (b.) If, similarly to the office of Great Britain, you do not deem it best to substitute, in respect of the reduction of letter charges to Id. per half-ounce, the names of the " Protectorate of the Nigerian Coast " and " Nigerian Territory " for " Northern Nigeria " and " Southern Nigeria." I should be glad if you would let me have any observations which the first of these questions may suggest to you, and furnish me the information requested on the subject of the two other questions above reiterated under the letters (a) and (b).

No. 173. The Acting Postmasteb-Genebal, Hongkong, to the Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. S IB> General Post Office, Hongkong, 3rd February, 1902. I have the honour to inform you that my Government has approved of the extension, from the 15th instant, of the penny rate of postage on letters passing between the British postal agencies in China, noted hereunder, and the United Kingdom, British colonies and possessions, in the same manner as it now obtains between Hongkong and these places: Shanghai, Liv Kung Tau, Hankow, Ningpo, Foochow, Amoy, Swatow, Canton, Hoihow. The rate of postage charged will be 4 cents per half-ounce. I am, &c, E. Cobnwall Lewis, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Acting Postmaster-General.

No. 174. The State-Secebtaby, Postal Department, Berlin, to the Geneeal Post Office, Wellington. Kaiserlich Deutsches Eeichs-Postamt, Berlin, W. 66, den 18 Februar, 1902. Mittels gefalligen Schreibens vom 18 Oktober V.J., P.O. 01/43(57), hat das General Post Office den Abschluss eines besonderen Abkommens in Vorschlag gebracht behufs Einftihrung dcs inlandischen neuseelandischen Portos fur den Briefverkehr Neu-Seelands mit Apia. Das Eeichs-Postamt beehrt sich zu erwidern, dass es zu seinem Bedauern nicht in der Lage ist, der dortseitigen Anregung Folge leisten zu konnen, da dem Vorschlage ahnliche Bedenken entgegenstehen, wie sic in dem Schreiben vom 15 Februar, 1901, 1/864 gegeniiber dem

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Antrage auf Einfiihrung dcs Portos yon 1 penny fiir den Verkehr Neu-Seelands mit alien anderen Landern dcs Weltpostvereins dargelegt worden sind. Wenn in dem dortseitigen Schreiben auf die nahe geographische Lage der deutschen SamoaJnseln zu Neu-Seeland hingewiesen wird, so ist dem gegeniiber zu bemerken, doss allgemein fur den Verkehr der deutscben Besitzungen mit dem Auslande, und selbst fiir den Verkehr zwischen weit naher zu einander gelegenen iiberseeisclien Gebieten, als zwischen Samoa und Neu-Seeland der Fall ist, die Weltpostvereinstaxen gelten. Em besonderes Bediirfniss zu einer abweichenden Behandlung der Korrespondenz zwischen Neu-Seeland und Samoa kann diesseits nicht anerkannt werden. Jm Auftrage dcs Staatssekretars, General Post Office, Wellington. .

[Translation.] By a letter of the 18th October last, P.O. 01/43(57), the General Post Office proposed the conclusion of a special agreement for the introduction of the New Zealand inland postage for letter communication between New Zealand and Apia. The Imperial Post Office has the honour to reply that it regrets not being in a position to agree to the proposal, as similar objections aye opposed thereto as those mentioned in the letter of the 15th February, 1901, in respect to the proposal for introduction of penny postage between New Zealand and all other countries of the Universal Postal Union. In regard to the argument in the letter of the nearness of the geographical position of the Samoan Islands to New Zealand, it may be remarked that the Universal Postal Union postages are applied in all communications of German possessions with other countries, and even for such over-sea territories as are , much closer together than the distance between Samoa and New Zealand. The special need for a Convention for differential treatment of correspondence between New Zealand and Samoa is therefore not recognised at this end.

No. 175. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Acting Postmaster - General, Hongkong. Imperial Penny Postage. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th March, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, informing me that from the 15th idem the rate of postage applicable to letters passing between Hongkong and the United Kingdom and British colonies and possessions would also apply to the British postal agencies at Shanghai, Liv Kung Tau, Hankow, Ningpo, Fooehow, Amoy, Swatow, Canton, and Hoihow. I note that the letter rate of postage now chargeable at the agencies named is 4 cents per half-ounce. I have, &c, Thomas Eose, The Acting Postmaster-General, Hongkong. For Secretary.

No. 176. The Hon. the Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 23rd April, 1902. 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 British Empire.

No. 177. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd April, 1902. Your cablegram in reference to the halfpenny terminal rate received. I heartily congratulate you upon the decision to admit letters at the penny rate from New Zealand and all parts of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a great postal movement in a forward direction, and will give universal satisfaction to all countries which are affected. The halfpenny terminal rates will be gazetted for the New Zealand terminal traffic at once. [Read here Nos. 124/S, F.-8, 1902, Telegraph Cables : Eeciprocal concession of Id. postage in Australia for |d. terminal cable-rate in New Zealand.]

No. 178. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th April, 1902. New Zealand letters prepaid penny rate now admitted Australian Commonwealth, and from other parts Empire.

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No. 179. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington, to Mr. J. Hennikee Heaton, M.P., London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th April, 1902. Commonwealth Australia now agrees admit New Zealand letters prepaid penny rate, and from other parts Empire.

No. 180. Schedule to Oedeb in Council dated the 28th Apeil, 1902. Letters and Letter-cards. The prepaid rates of postage on letters and letter-cards posted in New Zealand for Australia are Id. for each half-ounce or fraction thereof.

No. 181. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. Sic, — Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 28th April, 1902. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram advising that New Zealand letters prepaid at the penny rate will now be admitted by the Australian Commonwealth. The announcement to this effect which has appeared in the newspapers of this country has been made the subject of much favourable notice. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

No. 182. The Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th April, 1902. Oue Order in Council fixing penny letter-rate to Commonwealth Australia has been issued.

No. 183. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Sbcketaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 6th May, 1902. 1 have the honour to forward herewith copy of an Order in Council published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 28th ultimo, authorising the despatch of letters and letter-cards from New Zealand to Australia at Id. per half-ounce or fraction thereof. The Postmaster-General of this colony highly appreciates the action on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia in agreeing to accept without surcharge New Zealand letters prepaid at the above-mentioned rate. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.

No. 184. The Sbcbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Mr. E. F. Black, Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, U.S.A. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, 4th June, 1902. I have to acknowledge, by direction, the receipt of your letter of the 26th April last [not printed], and to inform you, in reply, that the charge made on the delivery in your country of letters posted in New Zealand prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce is, I regret to say, owing to the United States Post Office not having yet decided to accept New Zealand penny letters without surcharge. Mexico, on the other hand, has agreed to the reduced postage rate, hence the apparent anomaly. I enclose herewith, for your information, a list of places the Postal Administrations of which have agreed to deliver without surcharge letters from this colony prepaid Id. per half-ounce. Yours, &c, E. F. Black, Esq., Cedar Eapids, Nebraska, U.S.A. W. Gbay, Secretary.

No. 185. Translation of Letter from Mr. Joseph Wanka, Imperial House Councillor, Prague, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, 12th June, 1902. Accobding to newspaper reports Your Postal Administration is pursuing a further lowering of letter rates in the international tariff.

F.—3.

I permit myself, therefore, to submit to Your Excellency, under special cover, a copy of the second part of my work " Postal Arrangements in Austria," and would draw the attention of Your Excellency to the part " Eequirements " at page 101 of the said work. " Beqiiirements. " At the next World's Congress there should be reduced (considering that the modern post is an institution for general welfare : see first book, second edition, page 8) —for the further improvement of correspondence communications in the international postal traffic — the letter rate of 25 centimes (10 kr.) down to 10 centimes (5 kr.); the charge on post-cards from 10 centimes (5 kr.) to 5 centimes (2 kr.); and the charge for printed matter, commercial papers, and samples from 5 centimes (2 kr.) to 2 centimes (1 kr.), with minimum charge of 5 centimes ('2 kr.) ; and free transit should be instituted— i.e., all transit rates should be abolished. All the States who admit of registration (i.e., levy registration fees) should become responsible for registered articles, and pay indemnity in case of loss (compare page 82, annotation 1)."

No. 186. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Directob, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 13th June, 1902. I have the honour to inform you that on the 28th April last the postage on letters from New Zealand to Australia was reduced from 2d. to Id. per half-ounce by virtue of an agreement entered into between this colony and the Commonwealth of Australia. The postage from Australia to New Zealand remains as heretofore at 2d. per half-ounce. I beg to request that you will advise Administrations in the usual way. I have, &c, W. Gbay, Secretary. The Director, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Berne.

No. 187. The Director-Geneeal of Swiss Posts, Berne, to the Hon. the Postmastee-General, Wellington. Monsieue le Dibecteue-Geneeal, — Berne, le 15 Juillet, 1902. Me referant a la correspondance echangee entre nos deux offices en 1900 et 1901, plus specialement a vos lettres dcs 23 Novembre, 1900, 10 Mai, 1901 (P.O. 01/43, 22), et 8 Aouc 1901, (P.O. 01/43, 45), ainsi qu'aux miennes dcs 11 Janvier, 1901 (No. 868/2), 23 Fevrier, 1901 (No. 868/8), et 20 Juin, 1901 (No. 868/13) au sujet de la taxe d'affranchisseinent dcs correspondances originaires de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Suisse, j'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre be gui suit:— Par ma communication dv 11 Janvier, 1901 (No 868/2), gui repondait a la v6tre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, je me suis declare d'accord de faire delivrer jusqu'a nouvel ordre aux destinataires sans perception de taxe, a la condition qu'elles ne portent aucun signe les designant comme insuffisamment affranchies, les lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Suisse affranchies dun penny par 15 gr. (\ once). Au norn dv Gouvernement de Sa Majeste le Eoi dv Eoyaume-Uni de la Grande-Bretagne, de l'lrlande et dcs possessions britanniques, la Legation d'Angleterre en Suisse a demande au Conseil federal de la Confederation suisse, en date dv 25 Juin dernier, de vouloir bien ratifier cet arrangement. Apres avoir murement examine cette question, le Gouvernement suisse est arrive ala conclusion qu'ensuite de la position prise par les Administrations postales dcs pays voisins, comme aussi pour ne pas engager l'avenir, il ne convenait pas de maintenir la concession faite par l'Administration dcs postes suisses. En consequence, il a decide de revenir a l'etat de choses existant avant le ler Janvier, 1901, en cc gui concerne la taxe dcs lettres de la Nouvelle-Zelande a destination de la Suisse. Afin de ne pas porter prejudice aux expediteurs ou aux destinataires, la taxe reduite dun penny par 15 gr. (-J- once) sera toutefois encore consideree eomme valable pour les lettres provenant de la Nouvelle-Zelande gui seront mises a la poste jusqu'au 30 Septembre, 1902, inclusivement. Passe cc delai, l'Administration dcs postes suisses devra, en revanche, taxer toutes les lettres provenant de votre pays gui ne seraient pas affranchies au tarif fixe par la Convention postale universelle de Washington, dv 15 Juin, 1897. En vous notifiant les decisions gui precedent, je vous prie de vouloir bien dormer les instructions necessaires aux organes de votre service et m'accuser reception de la presente. Veuillez agreer, &c, Le Directeur-General, General Post Office, Wellington, Nouvelle-Zelande. Lutz.

[Translation.] Befereing to correspondence exchanged between our two offices in 1900 and 1901, more especially to your letters of the 23rd November, 1900, 10th May, 1901, and Bth August, 1901, as well as of mine of 11th January, 1901, 23rd February, 1901, and 20th June, 1901, on the subject of prepayment of correspondence originating from New Zealand and addressed to Switzerland, I have the honour to inform you as follows : —

F.—3.

By my communication of the 11th January, 1901, which replied to yours of the 23rd November, 1900, I declared myself agreeable to deliver until further order to addressees without surcharge, on condition that they bore no mark designating them as insufficiently prepaid, letters from New Zealand addressed to Switzerland prepaid at Id. per 15 grammes (half-ounce). In the name of the Government of His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, and British possessions, the English Legation in Switzerland requested the Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation on the 25th June last to kindly ratify this agreement. After having fully examined this question the Swiss Government has arrived at the conclusion that, owing to the position taken up by the postal administrations of neighbouring countries, as well as not to anticipate the future, it would be best not to continue the concession made by the Administration of the Swiss Posts. Therefore it has been decided to revert to the state of affairs existing before Ist January, 1901, in respect of the charge on letters from New Zealand addressed to Switzerland. In order not to prejudice senders or addressees, the reduced charge of Id. per 15 grammes (half-ounce) will therefore still be considered as valid for letters from New Zealand which may be posted up to 30th September, 1902, inclusively. After that date the Administration of Swiss Posts will on its part charge all letters coming from your country which are not prepaid at the tariff fixed by the Universal Postal Convention at Washington on the 15th June, J 897. In notifying you of the preceding decisions, I beg of you to kindly give the necessary instructions to branches of your service and to acknowledge receipt of this letter.

No. 188. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director-General of Swiss Posts, Berne. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd October, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th July last, advising that after the 30th ultimo the special arrangement between our Administrations for the delivery without surcharge of letters from New Zealand addressed to your country prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce would be terminated, as the Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation had not ratified the agreement. The Postmaster-General of this colony has learned with much regret the determination of your office not to accept our penny letters in future, but he hopes to be allowed to take an early opportunity of reopening the question. In the meantime notice have been given to our offices that the postage charge in force before the Ist January, 1901, will again be applicable. Public notice has also been given. I have, &c, The Director-General of Swiss Posts, Berne. W. Gbay, Secretary.

No. 189. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Director-General of Posts, Lima. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 12th January, 1903. On the 23rd November, 1900, I had the honour to write to you (copy of letter attached) proposing a reduction to Id. per half-ounce in the charge for the transmission of letters between our respective countries, in reply to which you were good enough to inform me on the 31st January, 1901 (copy of letter herewith), that you could not agree to the despatch of penny letters from Peru to New Zealand, but that you would accept our penny letters without surcharge. I also enclose copy of my letter of the 10th April, 1901. I now learn from a communication from the British Embassy at Lima that your office is unable to trace the agreement contained in the letters referred to. It is suggested that time would be saved if your Administration would again give its formal consent to deliver without surcharge letters from New Zealand prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I have, &c, W. Gray, The Director-General of Posts, Lima, Peru. For Postmaster-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper,— Preparation, not given; printing (1,425 copies), £39.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3.

Price Is. 3d.

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UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (PAPERS RELATING TO)., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, F-03

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UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (PAPERS RELATING TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, F-03

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UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (PAPERS RELATING TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, F-03

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UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE (PAPERS RELATING TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, F-03

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