Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1909 Session II | TELEGRAPH CABLES AND WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (FURTHER...

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1909. NEW ZEALAND.

TELEGRAPH CABLES AND WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 10th October, 1908.]

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

INDEX. No. Page. PACIFIC CABLE Acoountß, 1907-B—Capital Account \ Provident Fund Receipts and Expenditure f • • ' * " *' ' Reserve and General Renewal Fund Securities ) Appointments—Hon. William Hall-Jones, vice Hon. W. P. Reeves, on Board .. .. 9-11 Mr. A. S. Baxendale as London Manager and Secretary .. .. 1 Mr. J. Milward as Manager in Paoific Mr. A. Smith as Superintendent, Doubtless Bay .. .. .. 7 " Delayed" Messages at reduced Rates .. .. .. .. •• •• (24-26) Deficiency for 1907-8: New Zealand's Proportion Diverted Traffic for N.Z.: Allocation of Charges .. .. .. .. •• (12-14) Doubtless Bay Station: Appointment of Mr. A. Smith .. .. .. •• 7 Transfer of Mr. C. L. Hertslet .. .. .. .. 0 Pneumatic Tubes : Installation at Sydney .. .. .. .. • • • • 5 Press Rates : Reduction .. .. .. .. .. .. ■ • • • (27-48) DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC lon Pro rata Rates on Diverted Inward Traffic .. .. .. . • • • • • 12-14 LISBON INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE •• "-12 Conference: Dates of .. .. .. • • • • • • • • ■ • 15-16 Convention: Ratification by New Zealand .. .. .. .. •• •• 17-21 CHEAP CABLE MESSAGES 13 " 14 " Delayed" Cables: New Zealand - Australia .. .. .. •• •• 24-26 Penny-a-word Cables : Mr. Henniker Heaton's Scheme .. .. .. •. 22-23 PRESS RATES: REDUCTION 1419 Atlantic Companies refuse to reduce Press Association, New Zealand : Views of, in respect of Increase of Traffic .. .. 31-33 Reduction—Agreed to by Eastern Extension Company .. .. .. 35, 42, 44-46 New Zealand Terminal and Transit Rates .. 27, 29, 34, 36. 38-40, 43, 47-48 Suggested by New Zealand .. .. .. .. ■ • .. 27, 29-30 To Canada and U.S.A., via Pacific .. .. .. •• 40-41 To Great Britain, via Pacifio .. .. .. .. .. 27, 29, 34, 37, 40 Suggested Allocation of Reduced Rates .. .. .. • • • • 2^~o!) Views of Atlantio Companies on Reduction.. MISCELLANEOUS 19 ~ 20 Counting of Illegitimate Combinations .. .. .. •• • • 50-51 International Bureau, Alteration in Title of Tasmanian Cable—Two Cables laid by Commonwealth .. .. •• •• 52 Proposed Removal of Eastern Company's Cable .. .. .. 53 WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY 20 " 25 Adhesion to Berlin Convention—New Zealand .. .. .. • • 54, 56, 64, 67 Great Britain .. .. .. •• •• 57-58,64 Foreign Countries .. .. .. • • • ■ 56 Documents from International Bureau, Distribution of .. .. .. • • *>*, 67 Lioenses Issued by Great Britain to British Shipß .. .. .. • • • • So Radiotelegraph Stations .. .. .. •• .. •• •• •• f"™ Sucaested Wireless Installation between Coastal Stations and Lightships .. .. uo, t>a 66 t , New Zealand and Australia .. .. .. 63, 66 I— ¥. 8.

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PACIFIC CABLE.

BUILDINGS. DEPOT. FINANCE, ETC. No. 1. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. The Pacific Cable Board, Queen Anne's Chambers, London, S.W., Sir— 6th August, 1908. I write to inform you that, to fill the vacancy in their head office staff caused by the death of their late Genera] Manager, Mr. C. H. Reynolds, CLE., the Board have appointed Mr. A. S. Baxendale as London Manager and Secretary, and have to request that you will communicate with him on the same terms as you did with Mr. Reynolds. I have, &c, H. W. I'IMMKOSE, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Chairman. [P.C. Staff 08/B.] No. 2. The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Memorandum.) Department of Internal Affairs. Wellington, 7th October, 1908. In reply to your memorandum of the 3rd instant [not printed], I have to inform you that arrangements have been made for the payment of £6,929 3s. 4d., the amount due from New Zealand as its contribution to the deficit on the Pacific cable for the year ended 31st March, 1908. Hugh I'oi.i.en. [P.C. Fin. 08/20.] _^__ No. 3. The High Commissioner to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir.— Ktli October, L9OB. Referring to my letter of the 25th September, 1907 [No. 17. P. 8, 1908], I beg to enclose herein copy of a letter from the Colonial Office covering a communication from the Imperial Treasury, showing the amounts recoverable from the colonial Governments in reaped to the deficit on the working of the cable for the year ended 31st March, 19()8. and asking thai arrangements might lie made for payment to the Imperial Treasury of the sum of £6,929 3s. 4d., being the amount due from the Government of New Zealand. ******* Payment has been duly made to the Imperial Treasury. **"* * * * * I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. W. P. Reeves. [Acknowledged sth December, 1908.] [P.C. Fin. 08/34.] Enclosure in No. 3. The Assistant Under-Secretary, Colonial Office, to the High Commissioner. Sir,— Downing Street, London, S.W., 30th September, 1908. I am directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you copy of a letter from the Treasury on the subject of the expenses in connection with the Pacific cable for 1907-8, and to inquire whether you can arrange to pay to the Imperial Treasury the sum of £6,929 3s. 4d., being the amount due from the Government of New Zealand. I am to add that copies of the enclosed documents have been forwarded to the Governor of New Zealand. I have, &c, The High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. C. P. Lucas.

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Sub-enclosure No. 1 to Enclosure in No. 3. The Assistant Secretary to thk Tbeasury to the Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Sir, — Treasury Chambers, London, 22nd September, 1908. I .mi directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Crewe, that the Pacific Cable Board's account of the expenses of the cable for the year ended 31st March last has now been audited. A copy of the auditor's report is enclosed herewith, from which it will be seen that the deficit on the working of the cable for the year in question amounts to £62,362 10s., and the sums, therefore, recoverable from the colonial Governments are as follows :— £ s. d. Australia (six-eighteenths) .. .. .. .. .. 20,787 10 0 Canada (five-eighteenths) .. .. .. .. .. 17,322 18 4 New Zealand (two-eighteenths) .. .. .. .. 6,929 3 4 £45,039 11 8 I am accordingly to request that you will move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to communicate with the colonial Governments concerned, in order that these amounts may be paid as soon as practicable to the credit of the account of the vote for telegraph subsidies and Pacific cable. A copy of the printed account as presented to. Parliament is enclosed herewith. I have, <fcc, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, London. W. Blais'. Sub-enclosure No. 2 to Enclosure in No. 3. The Auditor to the Treasury, London, to the Secretary to the Treasury, London. Sir, — Treasury Chambers, London, 27th July, 1908. I have the honour to report that I have audited the accounts of the Pacific Cable Board for the year ended 31st March, 1908, in accordance with the instructions conveyed in their Lordships' minute of the 17th April, 1902, and have found them correct. The annual expenses of the cable, as defined in section 3 (2) of " The Pacific Cable Act, 1901." so far as thev were not met out of the receipts arising in connection with the cable, amounted in the year ended 31st March, 1908, to £62,362 10s., and a sum of £45,039 lis. Bd., representing thirteeneighteenths of the net expenditure, is therefore recoverable from the contributing colonial Governments—viz :— £ s. d. Australia (six-eighteenths) .. .. .. .. .. 20,787 10 0 Canada (five-eighteenths) .. .. .. .. .. 17,322 18 4 New Zealand (two-eighteenths) .. .. .. .. 6,929 3 4 £45,039 11 8 I beg to submit that the accompanying account, which has been duly certified, be presented to Parliament in compliance with section. 7 of " The Pacific Cable Act, 1901." I have &c, G. H. Hunt. The Secretary to the Treasury, London. Auditor. Second Sub-enclosure to Sub-enclosure No. 2 in No. 3. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Secretary to the Treasury, London. Sir, Queen Anne's Chambers, Tothill Street, Westminster, London, 22nd July, 1908. In transmitting to you the accounts of this Board showing—(i) The sum issued out of the Consolidated Kund, and the expenditure of the Board on Capital Account; (ii) the money borrowed and the securities created; (iii) the aggregate amount of capital expenditure up to the 31st March, 1908 ; (iv) the expenses of the cable in the year ending 31st March, 1908 ; (v) the account of the Provident Fund ; and (vi) the account of the Reserve and General Renewal Fund, I have the honour, on behalf of the Pacific Cable Board, to make the following observations : — 1. During the year under review the Board have had to deplore the loss of their Chairman, Sir Spencer Walpole, K.C.8., who died very suddenly on 7th July, 1907. He was the first occupant of the post, having been nominated to it by " The Pacific Cable Act, 1901 " ; and the ability and zeal with which he discharged his functions were very fully appreciated by his colleagues, and earned for him their high regard. Since the close of the year, the Board have sustained another severe loss in the death of .Mr. C. H. Reynolds, CLE., who, from the commencement of the enterprise, has served them most faithfully and efficiently in the capacity of General Manager. He died on 21st May, 1908, at Lisbon, where, though already suffering severely from the malady which caused his death, he had gone to represent the Board at the International Telegraph Conference.

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2. The financial results of the year 1907-8 are set forth in the following statement: Receipts. £ i. d. £ a. d. Traffic receipts .. .. .. .. 113,548 18 1 Lesa Atlantic Com panics charge for conveying date and time, and for delivering duplicate copies in London and other large centres in United Kingdom .. .. 3,911 13 'i 109,637 5 1 Interest on deposits .. .. .. .. .. 522 17 3 Deficiency recoverable in the following proportions : — United Kingdom .. .. .. 17,322 18 4 Canada .. .. .. .. 17,322 18 4 Australia .. .. .. .. 20,787 10 0 New Zealand .. .. .. 6,929 3 4 62,362 10 0 £172,522 12 4 Expenditure. £ s. d. Fifth annuity payment .. .. .. .. .. 77,544 18 0 Head office (salaries and expenses) .. .. .. .. 1.315 9 1 Read office (advertising, canvaaaing, engineers' fees, royalties, and cost of remitting money Home) .. .. .. .. 1,596 12 7 Stations (salaries and expenses) .. .. .. .. 38,764 16 1 Sl)ip (salaries and expenses) .. .. .. .. 16,759 12 11 Provident Fund .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,511 3 8 Renewal Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 32,000 0 0 £172,522 12 4 3. As compared with 1906-7, there was a falling-off of £2,852 15s. 2d. in the gross traffic receipts ; but of this the greater part (from £1,800 to £2,000) is apparent only, not real, the accounts for 1906-7 having included the receipts at Southport for thirteen months, while those for 1907-8 include only twelve months' takings. As regards the remainder of the decline, it may be observed that the message revenue of 1906-7 was enhanced by the increase of business resulting from various circumstances described in paragraph 2 of last year's report, viz. : the earthquake at San Francisco, interruptions to the Eastern Extension Company's cables, and the general prosperity of trade ; whereas during 1907-8 the cable has had to contend against adverse conditions of trade resulting from the panic in America of last summer and autumn, and the unfavourable influences mentioned in paragraph 7 below. The only set-off against these was an increase of traffic which resulted from a week's interruption of the Eaatern Extension Company's Cocoa Island cable in August last, and, taking all the circumstances of the two years into account, it may be considered satisfactory that the revenue of the cable has been maintained so well as it has been. 4. On the expenditure side of the account there has been an increase, as compared with 1906-7, of £4,082 13s. Of this, £2,027 165., was due to the insurance which it was decided during the year to effect on the Hoard's cable-ship ; but under the terms of the contract with the underwriters a considerable rebate is claimable for periods during which the vessel remains in harbour, and on this account nearly one half of the premium will probably be eventually recovered. The remainder of the increase is attributable to various causes, such as the normal gnnvtli of incremental salaries,the increase in the charges for officers going on leave now that the staff has had some years of Service in the tropics, and the fact"that the accounts include the cost for a whole year, instead of for nine months only, of the new offices opened in Sydney and Melbourne in 1906, to which reference was made in paragraph 4 of last year's report. Exclusive of the annuity payment of £77,544 18s. covering interest and sinking fund on the capital advanced bv the National Debt Commissioners, the expenditure on the maintenance and working of the cable during the vear. including the sum of £32,000 carried to the Renewal Account and the sum of £1,511 3s. Bd. contributed to the Provident Fund, amounted to £94,977 14s. 4d., or £15,182 Bs. less than the net revenue earned by the cable. The annuity to the National Debt Commissioners absorbs this surplus, and £62,362 10s. in addition, 'which has to be made good by the several Governments associated in the enterprise. 5. The total contributions to the Renewal Fund, including interest, amounted on the 31st March last to £198,836 12s. lid., £12,500 of this sum being held in spare cable. The amount of £177,691 12s. lid. is invested in Home and colonial securities, as shown in Statement VI, while a balance of £8,645 was in hand, and has since been invested. All interest earned on the investments is added annually to the fund, and is not treated as part of the revenue of the year. 6. The Board's forecast of its probable revenue and expenditure during the year 1908-9, as submitted to their Lordships on the 20th December last, is as follows :— £ £ Traffic revenue .. .. .. 108,000 | Sixth annuity .. .. ..' 77,545 Estimated deficit .. .. .. 69,566 Renewal Fund .. .. .. 31,000 Working-expenses .. .. .. 69,021 £177,566 £177,566

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7. The land-line services in Australia and New Zealand, in connection with the cable, have been generally well maintained by the Governments concerned. The Atlantic Companies have afforded utiinterruptedjcable communication throughout the year, and a rapid and efficient service. In Canada, the lines of the Canadian Pacific Railway, both in Vancouver Island and elsewhere, suffered considerable interruption, first from bush-fires and unusual electrical disturbances in July, August, and September, ami later from severe storms in November and December. In the latter month a gale occurred in Vancouver Island which is said to have been the worst on record in that region, and caused an interruption of over seventy hours, all the wires having been thrown down. In August, moreover, the tra Hie. more especially that of the States, was considerably disorganized by reason of the strike of telegraph operators in Chicago, and the sympathy it excited amongst those employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway. 8. The health of the staff has been satisfactory throughout the year, and the service rendered by them has continued to be maintained on the high level of efficiency and zeal which has characterized it in previous years. 9. Throughout the year the cable has worked without interruption, and no repairs have been called for. The buildings, electrical apparatus, and plant, at all stations, have been maintained in good order. 10. No damage has occurred to the repairing vessel " Iris," and the discipline and efficiency of the ship's company have continued to be thoroughly satisfactory. The wharf and shed which the New Zealand Government undertook to provide for her use at Auckland were completed by January of this year, and permanent moorings for the vessel are now in course of being supplied. These works will be of much benefit to the safety of the ship, and to the comfort and convenience of her crew, and the Board feel greatly indebted to" the New Zealand Government for the liberality with which they have given this valuable assistance. 11. The following statement may be of interest as showing the progress of the international traffic since the opening of the cable :—

Number of International Messages and Words.

In addition to the above, a very considerable intercolonial traffic is carried between Australia, New Zealand, and the Fijis, keeping the southern sections of the cable fully occupied during business hours. I have, &c, H. W. Primrose, The Secretary, His Majesty's Treasury, Whitehall, S.W. Chairman. Pacific Caiu.e Board (1. Edward VII. c. 31). —Account for Period ended 31st March, 1908-

I.—Statement showing the Sum issued out of the Consolidated Fund and the Expenditure.

II.—Statement showing the Sums borrowed and the Securities created.

Messages. Words. Year. Ordinary. G °™ r "' Press. Total. Ordinary. * . " l'n Total. Remarks. 1902-3 18,494 915 35 19,444 202,313 24,210 1,831 228,354 Cable opened 8th Dec, 1902. *Cricket. 1903-4 1904-5 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 64,595 3,128 67,677 3,018 77,331 3,109 93,533 3,983 890* 387 259 302 68,613 71,082 80,699 97,818 105,189 744,034 781,028 834.778J 1,010,133] 83,116 71,575 74,763 ,101,307 37,819* 19,110 13,225 17,222 864,969 871,713 922,766 1,128,662 1,230,345

i Year iu which issued. Amount. Amount. In in issued (out of an authorise! issue of £2,000,000) In ni issued (out of an authorised issue of £2,000,000) l!M)l-2 £ s. (1. 1,060,935 0 0 Expenditure in the period ended 31st March, L907 Expenditure in the year ended 31st March, 1908 £ s. d. 1,008,480 18 7 1902-3 ! 13! 1,065 0 0 •224 7 0 Balance in hand 1,098,686 5 7 1,314 14 5 2,000,000 0 0 2,000,000 0 0

Amount. Money borrowed. Securities created. £ s. d. Sum issued as above 2,000,000 0 0 In the period to 31st March, 1902 In the year to 31st March, 1903 2,000,000 0 0 > £ 8. J, 784,600 0 0 1,215,400 0 0 Annuity of £77,544 18s. First payment, 1st December, 1903. Last payment, 1st December, 1952. 2,000.000 0 0

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III.—Statement showing the Aggregate Amount of Capital Expenditure.

IV.—Statement showing the Expenses of the Cable in the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

V. —Statement showing (a) the Securities purchased and sold, and (b) the Sums received and expended on account of the Provident Fund in the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Details of Expenditure. .a the Periuc! end* 31st March, 1907. In the Year ended 31st March, 1908. Total to 31st March, 1M8. (1.) Head office (furniture, etc.) (2.) StationsBuildings A.H essories .. (3.) CableContract Accessories (4.) Instruments (5.) ShipContract Accessories (6.) Engineers' fees and expenses £ s. d. tJ'.i 7 8 66,744 18 11 18,502 19 0 1,790,642 15 6 335 15 0 28,788 4 10 £ s. d. £ s. d. 429 7 8 133 19 4 66,878 18 3 74 3 8 18,577 2 8 1,790,642 15 6 335 15 0 16 4 0 28,804 8 10 65,910 0 0 6,971 8 1 20,135 9 7 65,910 0 0 6,971 8 1 20,135 9 7 224 7 0 1,998,685 6 7 1,998,460 18 7

Details of Receipts. Parliamentary Grant. Annuity for the Replacement of Capital. Workingexpenses. Revenue. Details of Expenditure. Balance on 31st March, 1907 Received from H.M. Treasury out of the parliamentary grant-in-aid Traffic receipts (less £3,911 13s. paid out to the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Atlantic Companies for the insertion of date and time tnd for duplicate copies of messages) Interest on money placed on deposit £ l (1. 44,664 3 S 38,780 1 0 Ffith annuity payment .. Head office (salaries and expense*) Head office (advertising and canvassing, engineers' fees, royalties, and cost of remitting money Home) Cable-stations (salaries and expenses) Cable - ship (salaries and expeiuet) Provident Fund—contribution to (Statement V) Transferred to Cable Repair —Reserve and General Renewal Fund (Statement VI) £ s. d. 77,544 18 0 £ a. d. 4,34o' 9 1 109,637 5 1 1,596 12 7 38,764 16 1 16,759 I- , 11 522 17 3 1,511 8 8 32,000 0 0 94,977 14 4 77,544 18 0 110,160 2 4 83,344 4 8 Balance on 31st March, 1908 172,522 12 4 20,981 14 8 193,504 7 0 193,504 7 0

Securities purchased. (For Details see below.) Cash Receipts. Securities sold. (For Details see below.) Cash Payment*. Balance on 31st March, 1907 rransforrod from the account of annual expenses (Statement IV) mitri but ions of employees.. Interest on securities Securities purchased (as per ■ contra) £ s. (I. 10,700 0 0 £ k. d. 1,753 17 4 1,511 .! 8 Invested in securities, viz.:— £1,700 North-Eastern Railway, 3-per-cent. debenture stock at 89J £1,100 Straits Settlement •H - per - cent, stock at MA £800 Straits Settlement 3J-per-cent. at 97j 7 fi £800 Canada 4-per-cent. debenture bonds at 100,% Payment to employees on cessation of services Auditor's fee £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,587 0 8 1,81] 3 8 435 4 1 1,062 4 9 4,400 0 0 781 11 0 802 15 o' 428 7 10 10 0 0 Balance on 31st March, 1908 ir,,KK) o o 4,621 19 3 589 9 6 15,100 0 0 5,211 8 9 15,100 0 0 5,211 8 9

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VI.—Statement showing (a) the Securities purchased and sold, and (b) the Sums received and expended on account of the Cable Repair—Reserve and General Renewal Fund for the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Details of Securities. Halawc on 31st March, 1907. Securities purchased during Period of Account. Total. Securities sold during Period of Account. Balance on 31st March, 1908. Value at [arket Price on 31st [arch, 1908. London County Council 3-por-cent. stock London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway 4-per-cent. debenture stock Canadian Northern Railway 3-per-cent. debenture stock (guaranteed by Canadian Government) Metropolitan Water Board 3-per-cent. B. stock New South Wales 3-per-cent. stock North - Eastern Railway 3-per-cent. debenture stock Straits Settlement 3£-per-cent. stock Canada 4-per-cent. debenture bonds £ s. d. 4,700 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 4,700 0 0 £ s. d. 4,700 0 0 ei* £ s. d. 4,300 10 0 1,800 0 0 1,800 0 0 1,800 0 0 no 1,980 0 0 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 840 0 0 2,200 0 0 2,200 0 0 2,200 0 0 2,046 0 0 93 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 88 880 0 0 1,700 0 0 1,700 0 0 1,700 0 0 90 1,530 0 0 1,900 0 0 1,900 0 0 1,900 0 0 99 1,881 0 0 800 0 0 800 0 0 800 0 0 103i 828 0 0 10,700 0 0 15,100 0 0 15,100 0 0 14,285 10 0 4,400 0 0

Securities purchased. (For Details see below.) Cash Receipts. Securities sold or redeemed (For Details see below.) Cash Payments. £ s. d. 123,850 0 0 £ s. d. 7,020 10 1 liLvistod in securities, viz. :— £3,000 South Australia 4-per-cent, stock at IO<>§ £3,000 South Australia 4-per-cent. stock at 100^ £5,000 South Australia 4-per-cent, stock at 103} £5,000 South Australia 4-per-cent, stock at 99J £0,000 India 3J-per-cent. stock at 97$ £2,000 India 3i-per-cent. stock at 100£ £2,000 Metropolitan Water Board 8-per-cent. B stock at 89J £4,000 Straits Settlement :ij-per-cent. stock at 97f £5,115 2s. 10d. war stock, 2}-per-cent. at 97£ £9.000 Canada 4-per-cent. debenture bonds at 100J £8,5011 New South Wales 4-per-cent. Treasury bills —redeemed £ s. d. £ s. d. 3alance on 31st March, 1907 [Vansferred from the account of annual expenses (Statement IV) ntereat on securities Securities purchased (as per contra) "8,500 New South Wales 4-per-cent. Treasury Bills redeemed 44,115 2 10 32,000 0 0 4,977 18 0 3,018 15 6 3,022 10 0 5,200 1 0 5,000 1 0 8,500 0 0 5,880 1 0 2,005 1 0 1,787 11 0 3,915 1 0 4,990 10 1 9,033 16 0 8,500 0 0 Balance on 31st March, 1908 8,500 0 0 159,466 2 10 43,853 8 1 8,645 0 0 167,96") 2 10 52,498 8 1 i 167,965 2 10 52,498 8 1

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11. W. Primrose, Chairman.

Examined and found correct —G. H. Hunt, Auditor. Pacific Cable Board, 22nd July, 1908.

No. 4. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th October, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that, in compliance with the request contained in your cable telegram of the Ist instant [not printed], the sum of £6,929 3s. 4d., the amount of New Zealand's contribution to the deficit on the Pacific cable for the year ended the 31st March, 1908, was remitted to you from the Treasury by cable-message on- the sth idem. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. [P.C. Fin. 08/24.]

Details of Securities. Balance on 31st March, 1907. Securities purchased during Period of Account. Total. Securities sold or redeemed during Period of Account. Balance on 31st March, 1908. Value at Market Price on 31st March, 1908. Bank of England stock Victoria 3 - percent, stock Victoria 3J-per-ccnt. stock New South Wales 3-per-cent. stock New South Wales 4 - per - cent. Treasury bills Queensland .'(-percent, slock New Zealand 3-per-cent. stock New Zealand 3J-per-cent. stock \cu Zealand 4-per-eent. debenture stock New Zealand 4-per-cent. Treasury bills Bank of New Zealand 4-per-cent, guaranteed stock Canada 3-per-cent. stock Canadian Northern Railway 3-per-cent. debenture stock (guaranteed by the Canadian Government) Metro p o I itan Water Board 3-per-cent.B stock Local loans 3-per-oent. stock Guaranteed 2:-per-cent. stock j India 3-per-cent. | stock India 3J-|KT-ccnt. stock South Australian 4-per-oent.stock Straits Settlement SsJ-per-cent, stock War Stock, 2f-per-cent. (lanada I per cent, debenture bone I- £ s. d. 11,500 0 0 £ 8. d. £ s. d. 11,500 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 11,500 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 31,280 0 0 272 10,750 0 0 10,750 0 0 10,750 0 0 88> 9,513 15 0 1,000 0 0 1.000 0 0 1,000 0 099J 995 0 0 5,000 0 0 ,,.000 0 0 5,000 0 0 88 4,400 0 n 8,500 0 0 8,500 0 0 8,500 0 0 8,500 0 0 7,500 0 0 7,600 0 0 7,500 0 0 88 0,600 0 0 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 (I 1,000 0 0 87£ 875 0 0 4,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 99J 3,980 0 0 14,000 O O 14,000 0 0 14,000 0 0 par 14,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 4,000 (l o 99J 3,990 0 0 1,500 0 0 1,500 0 0 1,500 0 0 101 1,515 0 0 20.000 o 0 20,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 19,000 0 0 96 6,000 0 0 li.ooo 0 0 6,000 0 0 84 6,040 0 0 2,000 0 0 2,(100 0 0 4.000 (I 0 4,000 0 0 3.720 0 0 93 14.IHIO II O 14,000 0 0 14,000 0 0 98* 13,790 0 0 1,100 0 0 1,100 0 0 1,100 0 0 90J 992 15 0 12,000 0 o 12,000 0 0 12,000 0 0 924, ! II,.00 0 0 8,000 0 0 8,000 O 0 8,000 0 0 101 8,080 0 0 16,000 0 0 16,000 0 0 16,000 0 0 101 16,160 o o 4,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 99 3.960 0 0 6,116 2 10 5,115 2 10 5,115 2 in 99] .,.102 7 0 9.000 0 0 9,001 9,000 0 0 In.'ii 9,816 o o 8,500 0 0 159,465 2 10 123,860 0 0 44,115 2 10 167,966 2 10 173,408 17 o

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No. 5. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 19th October, 1908. The following received from our Manager, Sydney: "Two pneumatic tubes between the Board's Sydney office and the General Post Office commenced working to-day, and give when necessary a tensecond service each way. The tubes place us in a better position to compete for New Zealand traffic, the reduction in delay being from seven to ten minutes per message." [P.O. 08/1308.] No. 6. Mr. C. L. Hertslet, late Superintendent, Pacific-Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 4th November, 1908. I thank you for the valuable assistance you have always rendered me during my term of office at Doubtless Bay, and I look forward to the day when I may again have the pleasure of working with your Administration. [Acknowledged 4th November, 1908.] [P.C. Misc. 08/58.] No. 7. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Mr. A. Smith, Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 4th November, 1908. Pray accept my most cordial official and personal welcome to New Zealand. [Acknowledged sth November, 1908.] [P.C. Misc. 08/68.] _^^^^_^^^^^___ No. 8. The Manager in the Pacific, Pacific Cable Board, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Pacific Cable Board, Devon Chambers, 40 Hunter Street, Sydney, Sir,— sth December, 1908. I have the honour to intimate to you my arrival in Sydney, and to inform you that I have now taken up my duties as the Pacific Cable Board's Manager in the Pacific. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. J. Milward. [Acknowledged 17th December, 1908.] [P.C. Misc. 08/68.1 ' No. 9. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, 16th December, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st October last [not printed], respecting the appointment of the Hon. Mr. Reeves's successor in the Higli Commissionership as a member of the Pacific Cable Board, and to state that the necessary arrangements will be made for the appointment of the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones. I have, &c, The High Commissioner for New Zen hind, London. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. [Tel. 08/46(96).] No. 10. Plunket, Governor. Order in Council. At the Government Buildings, at Wellington, this eighth day of January, 1909. Present: The Right Honourable Sir J. G. Ward, presiding in Council. Whereas the Honourable William Pember Reeves (lately the High Commissioner for New Zealand) has resigned his office as representative of the Government of New Zealand on the Pacific Cable Board, and it is expedient to appoint in his stead the present High Commissioner : Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 165 of " The Post and Telegraph Act, 1908 " (relating to the Pacific cable), and of all other powers enabling him in this behalf, His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, doth hereby appoint the Honourable William Ball-Jones, the High Commissioner of the said Dominion, to be the representative of the Government of the said Dominion on the Pacific Cable Board, with full power and authority to co-operate with the representatives of the other contributing Governments <>n the said Board in managing and maintaining

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the Pacific cable, and generally in giving full effect to the resolutions set out in the Fourth Schedule to the said Act (being the resolutions pursuant to which the said cable was established), in the place and stead of the Honourable William Pember Reeves, resigned. J. Hislop, Acting-Clerk of the Executive Council. [Tel. 08/46(96).] No. 11. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 7th May, 1909. With reference to your appointment as the representative of the New Zealand Government on the Pacific Cable Board, I have the honour to request you to be good enough to inform the Imperial Treasury of your appointment. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. The Hon. William Hall-Jones, High Commissioner for New Zealand, Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London. S.W. [Tel. 08/46(96).]

DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC. No. 12. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir, — Melbourne, 18th September, 1908. With reference to my letter of 7th October last [No. 49, F.-8, 1908], and your reply dated Bth November [not printed], respecting the rates to be charged by my company and the Pacific Cable Board respectively for deviated cable messages from New Zealand, I have the honour to inform you that the Pacific Cable Board and my company are also in agreement respecting deviated messages to New Zealand, namely : Messages deviated by Norfolk Island to New Zealand, via Australia, the pro rata rates during the twenty-four hours limit to be the following : — Normal. Pro rata. d. d. Norfolk Island - New Zealand .. .. .. .. 2 1-27 New Zealand transit .. .. .. .. .. 1 0-64 New Zealand - New South Wales .. .. .. ..3 1-91 Commonwealth terminal .. .. .. .. ..5 3-18 lid. 7d. I presume the Pacific Cable Board have already advised you of the apportionments made. I have, &c, W. Warren, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Manager in Australasia. [P.C Intcrr. 08/42.] No. 13. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd October, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th ultimo notifying that your company and the Pacific Cable Board were iii agreement as to the pro rata rates to be charged during the twenty-four hours limit on cable messages deviated by Norfolk Island to New Zealand, via Australia, and that the rates were as follows :— Normal. Pro rata. d. d. Norfolk Island-New Zealand .. .. .. .. ..2 1-27 New Zealand transit .. .. .. .. .. 1 0-64 New Zealand New South Wales .. .. .. .. 3 1-91 Commonwealth terminal .. .. .. .. ..5 3-18 lid. 7d.

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It is not precisely understood what information is intended to be conveyed in your communication. Apparently, however, the table furnished represents the correct distribution of the amount available on cable traffic deviated at Norfolk Island to the Commonwealth, via New Zealand. The amount available, however, for distribution on traffic /or New Zealand deviated at Norfolk Island via the Commonwealth is 3d. per word, and the proportions are : — Normal. Pro ruin. d. d. Norfolk Island - Southport .. .. .. .. .. 2 0-55 Commonwealth transit .. .. .. .. ..5 1-36 Eastern Extension .. .. .. .. .. ..3 o'B2 New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. ..1 <>'27 lid. 3d. I shall be glad to receive confirmation of this. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Manager in Australasia. Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne. [P.C. Interr. 08/46.] _^__»_^^^____^_ No." 14. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, 'General Post Office, Wellington. Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir,— Melbourne, 15th October, 1908. 1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 2nd instant, and to confirm the pro rata rates given therein as agreed to by my company and the Pacific Cable Board in London. I have, &c, W. Warren, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Manager in Australasia. [P.C. Interr. 08/51. | LISBON INTFRNATIONAL TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE. No. 15. The DIBXCTOB, International Bureau of Telegraph Administrations, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. International Bureau of Telegraph Administrations, Sir,— Berne, Ist June, 1908. ****** International Telegraph Conference. Tlir International Telegraph Conference called by the Portuguese Government, in terms of Article 15 of the St. Petersburg Convention, was opened at Lisbon on the 4th May last. ****** I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellingon. L. Patocchi, for Director. I I -l. 08, 390(6).] ___^ No. 16. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 28th July, 1908. The Lisbon Conference was formally concluded on June 11th. [I'd. 08/822.]. ___^_________ No. 17. The Right Hon. the Secretary ok State eor the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th December, 1908. I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that the Postmaster-General has received an intimation from the Portuguese Telegraph Administration that copies of the regulations and tariffs as revised at the recent. International Telegraph Conference at Lisbon, certified to be in accordance with the copy signed by the delegates, and deposited in the archives of the Portuguese Government, are being forwarded direct to the telegraph administrations of the several British Possessions which adhered to the International Telegraph Union.

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2. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has conveyed to the Portuguese Government, through His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon, the assent of His Majesty's Government to the revised regulations and tariffs so far as regards the United Kingdom, and I shall be glad to receive in due course from vour Ministers a corresponding notification of the approval of the regulations and tariffs on behalf of the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., &c. Crewe. [Tel. 00/1223.] No. 18. The Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Lisbon, to the lion, the Poktmaktku-Gkneral. Wellington. SIR — Lisbon, 27th March, 1909. It having been decided in the sixth and last full sitting of the Lisbon Conference thai only one copy of the regulations as revised by that Conference should be signed by all the delegates, and thai a duly certified copy should be then seal to each of the contracting States. I have the honour to forward you a copy of this document. I would ask you to be so g las to submit it to your Government, in order that its assent thereto may be notified to the Portuguese Government through the diplomatic channel. . I have, &c, Th' Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand. Director General. [Acknowledged, 26th May, 1909.1 [Tel. 09/1223(2).] No. 19. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 14th June, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. In reference to the letter from the Colonial Office, dated the 30th December last, relating to the regulations and tariffs as revised at the International Telegraph Conference, at Lisbon, and to the Prime Minister's memorandum of the 13th ultimo [not printed], requesting His Excellency to notify the Colonial Office of the approval of the regulations and tariffs by the New Zealand Government, the Prime Minister has now the honour to request that His Excellency will convey the approval by telegraph, a request having been made that the information be conveyed to the Minister of Foridgn Afiairs, Lisbon, by the 22nd instant. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. [Tel. 09/1223.] No. 20. The Right Hon. Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,— Downing Street, London, 2nd July, 1909. With reference to your telegram of the 16th June [not printed], I have the honour torequest you to inform your Ministers that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has instructed His Majesty's representatives at Lisbon to notify the Portuguese Government of the assent of the New Zealand Government to the revised regulations and tariffs drawn up at the International Telegraph Conference held at Lisbon in 1908. j have. &c. Crewe. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, &c, &c. [Tel. 09/1223.] No. 21. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director-General of Telegraphs, Lisbon. Sir — General Post Office, Wellington, 16th July, 1909.' I have the honour to refer to your telegram of the 12th ultimo [not printed], requesting that the ratification by the New Zealand Government of the regulations and tariff's as revised at the International Telegraph Conference at Lisbon be conveyed by telegraph, and to your telegram, received here on the 26th ultimo [not printed], asking for a reply ; and to confirm the Postmaster-General's telegram of the 3rd instant [not printed] stating that the ratification had been telegraphed through the diplomatic channel on the 16th ultimo. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, The Director-General of Telegraphs, Lisbon. Acting-Secretary. [Tol. 09/1223.]

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CHEAP CABLE MESSAGES. No. 22. [Extract from Financial Statement, 1908, Parliamentary Paper 8.-6, page 10.] Cheap Cable Messages. A proposal of'far-reaching importance, which will, it is hoped, receive the serious consideration of all parts of the Empire, is that of Mr. J. Henniker Heaton, M.P., to establish a penny-a-word rate for cable messages. In my opinion, the scheme is feasible, and it^has, 1 !, therefore, my sympathy and support. With the Pacific cable in the hands of the Mother-country, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, it would not be difficult or, comparatively speaking, costly to extend the State-owned system by creating a land line across Canada and laying a special cable across the Atlantic. The application of modern rapid automatic instruments should enable the line to be worked to a payable capacity, and the control throughout under one Administration should result in such a greatly increased efficiency as to render the project a commercial success. From an Imperial, commercial, and social point of view the establishment of a penny-a-word rate for cable messages throughout the Empire would be of inestimable value. No. 23. The Hon. the Postmaster-Genkkal, Wellington, to Mr. J. Henniker Heaton, M.P., London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th November, 1908. I wish your advocacy penny-word cables every success. It is a great Empire-binding project, and would bring our people in widely scattered portions of Empire closer together than in any other way possible. [Tel. 08/4006(1)] __ No. 24. [News Extract, 6th May, 1909.] (Telegram.) Melbourne, 6th May, 1909. The Postmaster-General (Hon. J. Thomas) intends to place a proposal for cheaper cable rates before the Pacific Cable Board. The scheme is that the present rate of 3s. per word should stand, but that a Is. 6d. rate for code and Is. for plain English be charged for delayed delivery cables. [H.l. Tel., Vol. 2. No. 408.J No. 25. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, 11th May, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that I have had under consideration for some time the question ofi'making the best use possible of the Pacific cable, in which the Commonwealth of Australia is so largely interested, and I understand that at present this cable is practically idle for about seven hours out of the twenty-four —a condition which means that during that time a large amount of capital which might under other circumstances be profitably employed is not being utilised. It has consequently occurred to me that, with a view of getting the best return for the money invested in this cable, and making it known to and popular with the public, it would be desirable to introduce between the Com moawealth and the L'nited Kingdom a system of delayed telegrams, in both code and plain language, at rates lower than those at present existing. 2. Under existing conditions, the cables arc used almost entirely for commercial purposes, excepting for a brief time occupied in the transmission of Press messages, and the high rate almost precludes their use for social purposes. 3. I would therefore suggest that, in order to enable the Pacific cable to be used to its fullest extent, an arrangement be adopted whereby messages in code handed in for deferred delivery i.e., for delivery twenty-four hours after receipt —should be accepted at half the current rates —viz., Is. (id. instead of 3s. per word—the apportionment to be made as follows : — Commonwealth of Australia .. .. .. 2d. per word (instead of Bd.), Pacific cable .. .. .. .. Bd. „ ( „ Is. 7d.), Canada and Atlantic cables .. .. .. Bd. ~ ( „ Is.) ; also that telegrams in plain language, similarly deferred, should be charged the same rate as is now in operation in the case of Press telegrams—viz., Is. per word, with the same apportionment as that now made in connection with Press telegrams. Commonwealth of Australia .. .. .. .. .. 2d. per word. Pacific cable .. .. .. .. ■. .. 4d. ~ Canada and Atlantic cables .. .. .. .. . . 6d. ~ 4. I beg to commend this proposal to your favourable consideration, and shall he glad to learn that it will receive the support of your Government and representatives on the Pacific Cable Board. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Josiah Thomas, Postmaster-General. [P.C. Rates, 09/!l and 011/10.]

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No. 26. The Hon. the Acting Postmasikk-Cknekai.. Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmastbr-Gknkbal, Melbourne. Sir,— Wellington. 6th July, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the I lth May last proposing the introduction of a system of delayed telegrams between the Commonwealth of Australia and the United Kingdom at rates lower than the present ones. The matter will receive the consideration of the New Zealand Government. I have, &c. John G. Findlay, Acting Postmaster-General The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Melbourne. [P.C. Rates, 09/22.] REDUCTION OF RATE FOR PRESS CABLE MESSAGES. No. 27. The Right lion, the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington. Ist May. 1908. 1 have the honour to refer to your letter of the 21st February last [not printed], transmitting copy of correspondence between the Pacific Cable Board and the Commercial Cable and Anglo-American Telegraph Companies on the subject of the tariff for Press messages between Australasia and the United Kingdom, " via Pacific." I hope that the representations made by the Pacific Cable Board will result in the cable companies agreeing to a reduction in the rates. The Government of this Dominion is prepared to agree to its share of the rate of Is. for each word of messages between New Zealand and the United Kingdom being reduced from Id. to Jd. I would suggest that the rate could be reduced from Is. to 7d. by readjusting the shares as shown hereunder :— Present Shares. Suggested Shores. Atlantic companies .. .. .. .. .. sd. 3Jd. Canadian Pacific Railway .. .. .. Id. Id. Pacific cable .. .. . . .. .. .. sd. 2d. New Zealand .. .. .. Id. Jd. Is. 7d. 1 have, &c, J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. [P.G Press, 08/14.] No. 28. The High Commissioner to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Sir, — • Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London, S.W., 24th July, 1908. I duly received your letter of the Ist May last, relating to the desired reduction in the tariff for Press messages between Australasia and the United Kingdom. I at once communicated the contents of the letter to the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board, who duly brought it before the meeting on the 21st instant. 1 have, however, now to enclose herein copies of letters received by the Board from the Commercial Cable and the Anglo-American Telegraph Companies, replying to the Chairman's letter of the 27th January last [not printed], and regretting that they do not see their way to reduce their existing rates. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, New Zealand. W. P. Reeves. [P.C. Press, 08/31.] Enclosure No. 1 in No. 28. The \ ii'K-President and General Manager, Commercial Cable Company, New York, to the Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London. The Commercial Cable Company, 253 Broadway, New York, 17th February, 1908. Sir — Your letter of 27th January [rrot printed] was received here on 6th February, and has been very carefully considered. We sympathize with the desire of Australia and New Zealand for a more liberal supply of public news, and it has been the policy of this company to make its Press rate as low as possible, to favour the transmission of ample Press messages.

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The rate between Bamfield and London is already very cheap, and is as low as companies depending for their existence on the business aspects of their operations can justify. It must be borne in mind that the ordinary rate between London and Bamfieldfis's36](ccnts per word, and that all comparisons must be made with that ordinary rate. The rate made for the British Pacific cable is a special concession. Therefore, the rate for Press messages between Bamfield and London, which is 6d., is only one-third of the ordinary rate between Bamfield and London. Even regarding it as.one-half of the special rate granted to the Pacific cable, it is still within the principle laid down in the Convention that reductions of Press rates shall not be made until the ordinary rate is less than double the Press tariff. As compared with the through rate between Australia and London. the Press rate is only one-third of the ordinary rate. Much as we would like to meet the wishes of the Board, we cannot hold out any prospect of a reduction in the Press rate. I have, &c, George G. Ward Vice-President and General Manager. Sir H. W. Primrose, K.C.8., C.5.1., Chairman, Pacific Cable Hoard. Queen Anne's Chambers, London, S.W. Enclosure No. 2 in No. 28. The Manager, Anglo-American TelegTaph Company London, to the Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London. Anglo-American Telegraph Company (Limited), 26 Old Broad Street, 20th February, 191 IS. Sir — Replying to your letter of the 29th January [not printed], I beg to inform you that the AngloAmerican, Direct United States, Western Union, and Paris and New York Telegraph Companies regret they are unable to reduce the existing Press rate between the United Kingdom and Vancouver, which is already a specially low rate for the Pacific route. I have, &c, J. H. Curson, Manager. Sir Henry W. Primrose, K.C.8., C.5.1., 1.50., Chairman, Pacific Cable Board. No. 29. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, to the Hich Commissioner. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 6th October, 1908. Sir — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th July last, notifying that you had communicated to the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board the contents of my letter of the Ist May respecting the desired reduction in the tariff for Press messages transmitted between Australasia and the United Kingdom, and that the matter had been brought before the Board's meeting on the 21st July. I regret to learn from the correspondence received by the Board from the Commercial Cable and the Anglo-American Telegraph Companies, of which you forwarded a copy, that the Companies do not see their way to reduce their existing rates. I do not gather from your letter that the suggestion of this Government that the Pacific cable rate be reduced from sd. to 2d. per word has yet been considered by the Board. If the suggestion were adopted, the through rate could be fixed as B£d. in place of Is., New Zealand, as already announced, being prepared toaocepl .Id. instead of Id. as its share. As it is very desirable that the rate to be charged should be made as moderate as possible, so that the extensive use of the Pacific cable for press telegrams may be encouraged, 1 have to request that you will again be so good as to submit the matter for the Board's consideration. In the event of the proposal being given effect to the rate on messages between New Zealand and the United Kingdom would be allocated as follows :— Present Shares. Suggested Shares. Atlantic companies .. .. .. .. .. sd. sd. Canadian Pacific Railway .. .. .. Id. Id. Pacific cable .. .. .. .. .. .. sd. 2d. New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. Id. vjd. Is. BJd. I have, &c., J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. [P.C. Press, 08/37.]

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No. 30. The High Commissioner, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London, S.W., 27th November, 1908. Sir.— Pacific Cable Board Rates for Press Messages. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th October last, and, in reply, to state that I have submitted the matter to which it refers for the consideration of the Pacific Cable Board. I have, &c, Walter Kennaway, The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. For the High Commissioner. [P.C. Press, 09/I.] _________________________ No. 31. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager, United Press Association, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd April, 1909. In reference to the proposal for the reduction of cable rates between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, I shall be glad if you will inform me whether any guarantee could be given by sour Association that any reduction in the Press rate would be followed by such an increase in the amount of Press messages via Pacific cable as would prevent a loss of revenue from the reduction. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, Acting Secretary. The Manager, United Press Association (Limited), Wellington. [P.C. Press, 09/6.] No. 32. The Manager, United Press Association, Wellington, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Wellington, 7th April, 1909. In reply to your letter of 2nd April, asking whether the Association could give any guarantee that a reduction of Press rates on the Pacific; Cable would be followed by an increase in messages equivalent to the amount of revenue remitted, I have to say that we . . . are quite unable to otter any guarantee. I would further point out that a reduction on such a basis is no reduction at all. The Pacific Cable Company would be simply taking credit in the face of the world for a reduction in rates, while privately they would be insisting on receiving the same amount of money as before. It is rather absurd to suggest that such a proposal is a reduction in any sense at all. Once before the Association was placed in a similar position, and we simply wasted thousands of pounds in the effort to provide sufficient news to fill up the gap between the original rates and the reduced rates. In the light of our experience on that occasion, it is totally unlikely that we would have anything to do with such an offer again. As to the probability of the Australian Cable Association utilizing the Pacific cable for, say, a portion of its messages, it will probably depend upon the cable authorities themselves. Not long after the line opened, after a great deal of trouble, I arranged that a quantity of Press cables were to come by that route. The Pacific cable offices threw so many obstacles in the way that Mr. McKinnon, the head of the Cable Association, threw up the project in disgust. After the way he was treated, I fancy it will be hard to get him to treat with the Paoific cable again. ******* I hope, however, more sensible counsels will prevail with those who now control the Pacific cable. If they are willing to listen to reason possibly an arrangement might yet be made with the Australian Cable Association to utilize the route to some degree. I have, &c, W. H. Atack, Manager. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [P.C. Press, 09/7.] No. 33. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 21st April, 1909. In reference to your letter of the 28th January last, transmitting abstract of minutes of meeting of the Pacific Cable Board [not printed], and referring to the question of a Press guarantee as a preparative of a reduction in Press rates over the Pacific cable, I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a letter of the 7th instant from the Manager of the United Press Association (Limited). You will see that there is no hope of getting the Press Association to become responsible in the manner proposed ; and there is no other body representing the Press in this Dominion to which Government could look for aid in the matter. The question of reduction, therefore, if further considered, must be considered apart from this point. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. The Hon. William Hall-Jones, High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. [P.C. Press, 09/10.]

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No. 34.

The High Commissioner to the Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 30th June, 1909. Your letter 6th October, also suggestion Press Conference : Pacific Board has decided to reduce Press messages to New Zealand to 9d. per word, subject to New Zealand charge being reduced from one penny to halfpenny per word. To operate as soon as necessary notice given in accordance with Convention. Kindly say if you approve. Similar proposal will be made Australia. Advise immediate acceptance. [P.C. Press. 09/33.] _________________________ No. 35. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir,— Melbourne, 16th July, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that, subject to the British, the Indian, and the Colonial Governments making a pro rata reduction in their terminal charges, the Eastern Extension and the associated companies have decided to reduce the rates for Press messages between Great Britain, India, Australasia, and South Africa to 9d. per word from the Ist August next. I therefore beg to ask what reduction your Government is prepared to make in its terminal rate for international Press messages. I have, &c, W. Warren, Manager in Australasia. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [P.C. Press. 09/49.] No. 36. The Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th July, 1909. New Zealand agrees reduction Press messages to New Zealand to ninepence. Terminal charge reduced penny to halfpenny. P.C. Press, 09/31.] _________________________ No. 37. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram). Berne, 21st July, 1909. Pacific Cable Board notifies reduction to 95 centimes per word in the rate for Press telegrams exchanged between Great Britain and Australia via Pacific, dating from Ist August next. [P.C. Press, 09/47.] _______________________ No. 38. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) London. 21st July. 1909. 11 a v i: notified Berne reduced Press rate ninepence Australia and New Zealand effective from first August. Board's transit rate, twopence halfpenny New Zealand, twopence Australia ; terminal rate, New Zealand halfpenny, Australia penny. [P.C. Press, 09/44.| _________________ No. 39. The Hon. the Acting Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd July, 1909. Board announced reduction New Zealand terminal rate to halfpenny to Berne first August. Wish you to formally confirm. Reply. [P.C. Press, 09/40.] _________________________ No. 40. The Manager in the Pacific, Pacific Cable Board, Sydney, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 22nd July, 1909. Board advises fifty per cent, reduction their share of Press rate intended apply all Press traffic to or from New Zealand except intercolonial. No decision yet arrived at as regards Fiji. Kindly confirm that reduction New Zealand terminal rate applies to Canada and America. [P.C. Press, 09/48.]

3—F. 8.

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No. 41. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in the Pacific, Pacific Cable Board, Sydney. (Telegram.) . Wellington, 23rd July, 1909. Reduction in New- Zealand terminal rate will apply to telegrams from Canada and America. [P.C. Press, 09/48.] No. 42. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. i ,\ (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th July, 1909. New Zealand agrees to reduce terminal and transit rate for International Press telegrams to id. per word from Ist August conditionally on full rate being reduced to 9d. Please telegraph formal acceptance. ******* [P.C. Press, 09/67.] No. 43. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in the Pacific, Pacific Cable Board, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th July, 1909! New Zealand agrees to reduce terminal and transit rate for international Press telegrams to £d. per ■word from Ist August conditionally on full rate being reduced to ninepence. ******* [P.C. Press, 09/67.] No. 44. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 28th July, 1909. Press rate ninepence per word New Zealand to Great Britain from Ist proximo confirmed. [P.C. Press, 09/67.] No. 45. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited). Sir,— Melbourne, 30th July, 1909. Confirming my telegram of 28th instant, I have the honour to inform you that the British, the Indian, the Commonwealth, and New Zealand Dominion Governments having agreed to make a pro rata reduction in their terminal charges for Press messages between Great Britain and Australasia, the Eastern Extension and the associated companies have decided to reduce the Press rate to ninepence per word from the Ist proximo. I have, &c, W. Warren, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Manager in Australasia. [P.C. Press, 09/58.] No. 46. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 4th August, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo, offering on behalf of your company and associated companies, on certain codintions, to reduce the rates for Press messages between Great Britain. India, Australasia, and South Africa to 9d. a word. In reply, I beg to inform you that the New Zealand terminal rate for international Press cable messages has been reduced from the Ist instant to £d. per word. I have. 4c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne. [P.C. Press, 09/56.]

F.—B

No. 47. The High Commissioner to the Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 7th August, 1909. Your telegram of 22nd July: Have formally confirmed reduction New Zealand terminal rate. Official notification issued by Berne Ist August [P.C. Press, 09/59.] No. 48. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 20th August, 1909. In reference to your telegram of the 21st ultimo, respecting the announcement of the Pacific Cable Board of the reduction in the rates for Press telegrams exchanged between Great Britain and Australia, I have the honour to confirm the notification given by the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London of the reduction of the New Zealand terminal charge for international Press cable messages from Id. to £d. per word from the Ist instant. The reduction applies to messages by the cables of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), and of the Pacific Cable Board. I have, <fec, D. Robertson, SecretaryThe Director, International Iflireau of the Telegraph Union, Berne. [P.C, Press, 09/66.] MISCELLANEOUS. No. 49. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, Ist July, 1908. I have the honour to forward you the following information of interest to the telegraphic administrations of the Union, which has been brought under the notice of the International Bureau since the last notification. ******* Internati<mal Bureau. In accordance with a decision of the Lisbon Conference, the International Bureau will for the future bear the title " International Bureau of the Telegraph Union." ****** I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. E. Frey, Director. [Tel. 08/390(7).] _____________________ No. 50. The Manager in the Pacific, Pacific Cable Board, Sydney, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. The Pacific Cable Board, Devon Chambers, 40 Hunter Street, Sydney, Sir— 4th February, 1909. I have much pleasure in forwarding for your information, as promised, a copy of the memorandum of discussion held with the representative of the London General Post Office regarding the application of Article VIII, paragraph 4, of the London (1903) Regulations. This, I think, will have some bearing on the question as to the acceptance of such words as " gartona," " boats," " coats," &c. I have, &c, J. MILWARD, The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Manager in the Pacific. [Tel. 08/3642.] _ ' Enclosure in No. 50. M i:\iorandum of Discussion at a Meeting between the Representatives of the General Post Office, London, and the Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies, on Thursday, 10th November, 1904. The question of the application of Article VIII, paragraph 4, of the London (1903) Regulations was discussed, and it was mutually agreed that plain-language messages divided into pronounceable groups of ten letters or less could not be accepted under this rule. 4—F. 8.

F.—B

The question of misspelt words and abbreviations of words joined up together such as " melorsyd," meaning " Melbourne or Sydney " ; " niconly," meaning " Nicolaieff only " ; " besucando," meaning " best you can do," was discussed, and Mr. Lamb considered that the counter-clerks could not be held responsible if they did not refuse such words, and that the benefit of any doubt ought to be given to the senders. At the same time, he considered that if such abbreviations occurred in plain-language messages, and the counter-clerk at the collecting-station knew what they meant, the number of words which they represented ought to be charged for —that is, if they were not entitled, as in the case of " canpac," to pass as abbreviated expressions in current use —at five letters to a word ; but if they occurred in messages consisting entirely of code they must practically be accepted without query. It would not be practicable to disprove or challenge the sender's statement that such an expression was used as a code word. Misspelt words and abbreviations of words joined together should be treated as evasions in plainlanguage messages, but are admissible in code or mixed messages wherein the context does not prove clearly that they are evasions ; in such cases the sender must be given benefit of doubt. No. 51. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in the Pacific, Pacific Cable Board, Sydney. Sir— General Post Office, Wellington, 16th February, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, forwarding a copy of the memorandum of discussion held between the representatives of the London General Post Office and the Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies on the 10th November, 1904, regarding the question of application of Article VIII, paragraph 4, of the International Telegraph Convention and Service Regulations (London, 1903, Revision), and to inform you that instructions have been given in accordance with the finding of the Conference. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, Acting-Secretary. The Manager in the Pacific, Pacific Cable Board, Devon Chambers, 40 Hunter Street, Sydney. [Tel. 08/3642.] _________________ No. 52. [News Extract, 25th February, 1909.] Tasmanian Cables. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 24th February, 1909. The laying of the two submarine telegraph cables for the Federal Government, by Siemens Brothers, between Victoria and Tasmania has been successfully accomplished. [H.I. Tel., Vol. 2, ]). 420.] ___________________ No. 53. [News Extract, 13th May, 1909.] (Telegram.) London, 12th May, 1909. Sir John Wolfe-Barry, Chairman of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, states that it is intended to pick up the Tasmanian cable. [11.1. Tel., Vol. 2. p. 47.->.] WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. No. 54. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,— Downing Street, 19th May, 1908. With reference to your despatch of the 3rd December last [not printed], I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government propose to ratify the Radiotelegraphic Convention before the Ist July next, which is the date fixed for the Convention to come into operation, and they will at the same time notify adhesion to the Convention on behalf of till the British colonies, possessions, and protectorates, with the exception of Newfoundland, which has not yet decided the question of its adhesion, and the Orange River Colony, which, as an inland colony, sees no reason for adhering at present. 2. This adhesion, will, of course, not involve adhesion to the Additional Undertaking as to communication between ships. 3. His Majesty's Government will also notify that the British colonies, possessions, and protectorates which adhere to the Convention reserve the right referred to in Article II of the Final Protocol of exempting certain coast stations from the obligation of intercommunication.

F.—B,

4. I shall be glad to receive in due course copies of the return made by your Government to the International Bureau under Article XXXYIII of the Service Regulations, and also copies of subsequent modifications and additions thereto, and of any other notifications made to the Bureau. I have, &c, Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., &c. Crewe. [I'd. 08/389(14).] No. 55. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,— Downing Street, 22nd May, 1908. With reference to my predecessor's despatch of the 25th March [not printed], I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers copy of the form of license [not printed], which the Post master (General proposes to issue to shipowners in respect of the installation and working of wireless apparatus on their vessels. 2. At the same time I have to request you to inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government bave had under their consideration the question of the position, while within the territorial waters of the United Kingdom, of vessels registered in the British dominions, which are installed with wireless telegraphy under the authority of a colonial license. .'i. Your Ministers will observe that the exemption contained in the Order in Council in favour of such ships only applies while they are on the high seas, and when they come within the territorial waters of the United Kingdom they would, strictly speaking, be unlicensed British ships, and, as such, subject to the penalties prescribed in " The Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904." 4. His Majesty's Government, however, propose not to take any proceedings in the territorial waters of the United Kingdom against a colonial ship which has been duly licensed by the colonial authority, provided that she complies with the same conditions as are imposed in these waters on ships registered in the United Kingdom. 5. In view of this decision, I trust that your Government will be prepared to adopt a similar attitude in regard to the use of wireless telegraphy in its territorial waters by ships registered in the United Kingdom, and also by ships registered in any other British possession or protectorate. I have, &c, Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., &c. Crewe. [Tel. 08 880(13).] No. 56. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Intel-national Bureau of the Telegraph Union (International Radio-telegraphic Sir, — Convention), Berne, Ist July, 1908. I have the honour to forward you the following items of general interest to the telegraph administrations of the signatory States of the Berlin International Radio-telegraph Convention of 3rd November. 1906, which have been brought under the notice of the International Bureau since the last notification. Classification of Contracting Administrations as regards the General Expenses of the International Bureau, With reference to Article XXXVII of the Service Regulations under the International Radiotelegraphic Convention, the Administrations of Denmark. Germany, Monaco, Roumania, and Spain have given notice regarding their contributions to the'general expenses of the International Bureau for the Radiotelegraphic Service. They wish to be included in the following classes : Denmark, lourth-class ; Germany, first-class ; Monaco, sixth class ; Roumania, third class ; Spain, second class. The Governor-General of the Principality of Monaco, on notifying his inclusion in the sixth class, notifies t hat the (!o\ eminent of the Principality has given, through the diplomatic channel, its adhesion to the International Convention signed at Berlin on the 3rd November, 1906. He also informs me that no wireless installation exists at present in the Principality, but that the service will be organised as soon as circumstances permit. Ratification of tin International Radiotelegraph Convention and the Service Regulations thereunder. According to a communication from the German Administration dated the Ist July, 1908, the International Radiotelegraphic Convention of Berlin of 3rd November, 1906, with the Additional Agreement, the Final Protocol and the Service Regulations under the principal Convention, have been ratified by the following countries: Belgium, Brazil. Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Norway, Roumania. Spain, and Sweden. In addition, the Radiotelegraphic Convention, the Final Protocol, and the Regulations have been ratified by (beat Britain, Japan, and Mexico. Mexico has subsequently adhered to the Additional Agreement not signed by it at Berlin.

F.—B

Great Britain has adhered to the Radiotelegraph Convention on behalf of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, India, and its other colonies and protectorates. Although ratification by several countries has not yet been made, the provisions of the Regulations will be applied generally on the date fixed—lst July, 1908. ******* I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. E. Frey, Director. [Tel. 08/389(17).] No. 57. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 3rd July, 1908. With reference to my despatch of the 19th May, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government have now ratified the Radiotelegraphic Convention of 1906, and have notified the adhesion of all the British colonies, possessions, and protectorates except Newfoundland and the Orange River Colony. 2. At the same time, His Majesty's Government have reserved for themselves and the adhering self-governing Dominions the right of exemption referred to in Article II of the Final Protocol. I have, &c, Governor, The Right Hon. Lord*Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., &c. Crewe. [Tel. 08/389(19).] No. 58. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. International Bureau of the Telegraph Union (International Radio-telegraph Sir, — Convention), Berne, Ist August, 1908. I have the honour to" communicate to you the following items of general interest to the telegraph administrations of the'Jsignatory States of the International Radiotelegraph Convention of Berlin (3rd November, 1906) which have been brought to the knowledge of the International Bureau since the last notification. Ratification of the Convention (Radiotelegraph). In my notification of Ist July last I published a communication from the German Administration, according to which Great Britain adhered to the Radio-telegraph Convention on behalf of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, India, and its other colonies and protectorates. According to later information which has reached me from the offices of Germany and Great Britain, this information has to be modified to read that this adhesion includes the countries above mentioned and the whole of the other colonies and protectorates with the exception of Newfoundland and Orange River Colony. ******* I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. E. Frey, Director. [Td. 08/380(22).] No. 59. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. International Bureau of the Telegraph Union (International Radiotelegraph Sir, — Convention), Berne, 3rd August, 1908. In terms of the regulations relating to radiotelegraph)' which the Lisbon International Conference inserted in the Service Regulations, and which came into force on the Ist July, 1908, I propose, in accordance with the provisions of Article LXXXIV (5) of the Lisbon Regulations, to show in the next Annexe (No. 23) to the Offical Nomenclature of Telegraph Offices, which will be published on Ist September, 1908, the names of the land and stationary ship stations. Consequently I have the honour to request that you will kindly forward me a list of Radiotelegraph stations open for international traffic which your Administration wishes to appear in the Official Nomenclature of Telegraph Offices, adding also, if necessary, the name of the territorial subdivision to be shown in the second column of the list. It is to be understood, however, that in the case of homonymous places, the name of the territorial subdivision or of the country will be inserted, as usual, in the first column of the Nomenclature. The names of the Radiotelegraph stations will be always printed on ajseparate line. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. E. Frey, Director. [Tel. 08/389(23).]

F.—B

No. 60. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, gm _ International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, 6th August, 1908. As most of the Administrations of the signatory States of the International Radiotelegraph Convention have forwarded me the information relating to the international stations of their country I propose to prepare the Nomenclature of these stations as provided by Articles IV and XXXV 111 of the ServiceJßegulations annexed to the Convention. To this end I have the honour to ask you to 1. The number of copies your Administration wiU require, apart from those which it is entitled to TGC6IV6 frCG 2. The approximate number of copies it will be advisable to reserve for your Administration for its future requirements until the publication of the next edition, 3. The language or languages in which the explanatory remarks which precede the list ot ottices should be printed. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. E. Frey, Director. i l',l. 08 :is'.i(24).] _ t No. 61. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne. g IR _ General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd October, 1908. ' I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd August last, asking to be furnished with a list of any radiotelegraph stations established by this Administration, and to inform you that no radiotelegraph stations have yet been opened in New Zealand. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union (International Radiotelegraph Convention), Berne [Tel. 08/389(23). j _^_______^^_^_ No. 62. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne. SIR __ General Post Office, Wellington, 3rd£october, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 6th August, with respect to the proposed publication of the Nomenclature of radiotelegraph stations. This Department will not require any copies additional to those which it is entitled to receive free. No copies on account of this Department's probable future requirements need be reserved after the first supply has been made. . So far as this Administration is concerned, it is desired that the explanatory remarks which precede the list of officers should be printed in English. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union (International Radiotelegraph Convention), Berne. [Tel. 08/880(24).] __^_^__^______ No. 63. Mr. S. Irwin Crookes, Epsom, Auckland, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Onslow Road, Epsom, Auckland, 19th December, 1908. S, R _ Re Cost of New Cable and Cost of Wireless Installation. I read with considerable interest your remarks on the proposed State-owned cable between New Zealand and Australia, and knowing a great deal about the working and recent progress of wireless telegraphy, as well as being in the possession of special information about long-distance working of the same, I have ventured to write you on the matter. I beg to suggest that, before a decision to lay a new cable is arrived at, the fullest investigations be made into the costs, working, capabilities, and reliability of wireless telegraphy for long-distance I am enclosing some details [not printed] which will probably interest you, and have taken your published figures as the basis of my comparison. As you will receive this in Auckland, I should be pleased to discuss matters with you, should you feel so inclined, and care to make an appointment, I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, New Zealand. 8. Irwin Crookes. Tel. 09/344. J

F.—B

No. 64.

The Right lion, the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd January, 1909. With reference to of the 3rd July last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter which has been addressed by the International Telegraphic Bureau at Berne to the General Post Office, on the subject of the adherence of the Government of New Zealand to the Radiotelegraphic Convention. 2. It will be seen from this letter that the Telegraphic Bureau have misunderstood the effect of the adherence of His Majesty's Government which was made simultaneously with the the adherence of those colonies which decided to join the Radiotelegraphic Convention. 3. The Postmaster-General has, therefore, informed the Bureau that the separate adhesion of New Zealand holds good, and that the Dominion should be charged with its proper contribution, as a member of the fourth class, towards the expenses of the Bureau, and should be supplied direct with all documents to which it is entitled as a member of that class. 4. I should be glad to learn whether the documents are duly received. 5. I have to request that I may be informed by telegraph whether your Government is willing to begin their contribution from the Ist January, 1907, after which date the Bureau began to incur expenditure in connection with the Radiotelegraphic Convention. I have, &c, Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., &c. Crewe. [Tel. 09/344(2).] . * Enclosure in No. 64. The Director, International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— Berne, 28th November, 1908. The General Post Office, Wellington, advised me by letter dated 27th November, 1907 [No 95, F.-8, 1908], published in Notification No. 5 of Ist February last, that it had decided to adhere to the International Radiotelegraphic Convention, and that the New Zealand Government wished to be ranked in the fourth class as regards its contribution to the additional expenditure of the International Bureau incurred in respect of the radiotelegraphic branch. So far, however, I have received no notification through the diplomatic channel of this adhesion, as provided by Article 16 of the Berlin Convention. On the other hand, you advise me by your letters of 30th June last [not printed] and 16th July [not printed] that the British Government adhered to the Radiotelegraphic Convention on behalf of all its possessions, colonies, and protectorates, with the single exceptions of Newfoundland and Orange River Colony. The conclusion to be drawn from this last communication is that New Zealand does not adhere as a separate unit, and that the original decision of the New Zealand Administration is cancelled. New Zealand would, consequently, be included in the adhesion of your Government, and would not contribute, as a distinct signatory State to the expenses of the International Bureau. The same would also apply to the other British possessions, colonies, and protectorates for which your Government has declared its adhesion. This question is closely connected with the distribution of the official documents of this Bureau. The documents relating to radiotelegraphy published by the International Bureau are distributed to the Administrations of the contracting States in proportion to the number of contributory units, as is done in the case in the Telegraph Union. In this way, your office, belonging to the first class, receives twenty-five free copies of all radiotelegraphic publications except circulars, of which I forward you, until further advice, only one copy. I shall therefore forward you for the future, in accordance with your letter of 13th November, fifty copies of the notifications, twenty-five of which will be free, and the remainder charged for at the rate of 5 centimes per copy and per page. As regards the offices of the British colonies in so far as they have relations with the International Bureau as members of the Telegraph Union, I shall also send them radiotelegrabic notifications as annexes to the ordinary notifications, as well as radiotelegraphic circulars, since the information on radiotelegraphy which these documents contain seems to be indispensable to all Administrations. On the other hand, as regards other radiotelegraphic documents, a free distribution does not seem to be warranted in respect of the Administrations of non-signatory States of the Radiotelegraphic Convention. The. Cape, Orange River, and New Zealand offices will therefore have no right to a free supply as they suppose. As it is, these offices inform me, in reply to my Radiotelegraphic Circular No. 6, of 6th August, 1908, that the copies supplied free of charge will meet their requirements. They therefore count on this supply, whilst if the adhesion of Great Britain to the Radiotelegraphic Convention of Berlin comprises till the British colonies, including New Zealand, your Administration alone is entitled to a free supply. Kindly let me know whether the twenty-five copies supplied free are to be sent to the General Post Office, London, or whether they are to be distributed amongst the various colonial offices, and in what proportions. I have the honour to ask you to- let me know whether you approve of my views with regard to the questions I have just submitted to you. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. E. Frey, Director. [Tel. 09/344(2).]

F.—B.

No. 65. The High Commissioner to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London, S.W., 12th February, 1909. (Memorandum.) I beg to transmit herewith for the Hon. Minister's consideration copy of correspondence [not printed] with Mr II W Sullivan, respecting his offer to instal in New Zealand his system of wireless telegraphy for communicatiorj between coastal stations and lightships, and also with passing vessels at consider* able distances, for an inclusive sum of £500 per station, or with " spares £700. The offer was referred to Sir W. H. Preece for his report, copy of which is also attached Lno .';,, Wm. Hall-Jones. printed]. [Tel. 00/344(.-»).l __—^-^——^— — No. 66. The Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington, to Mr. S. Irwin Crookes, Epsom, Auckland, o _ General Post Office, Wellington, 15th February, 1909. I have the honour, by direction, to refer to your letter of the 19th December last, comparing the cost of establishing communication between Ifew Zealand and Austraha by a submanne cable and 1)7 ln e reply d I g am P to state that this Department has no intention of laying a new cable or establishing a wireless telegraph system to Australia for the purpose of competing with the existing submarine cables, one of which is the joint property of this Dominion and other countries. I have, however, to thank you for the trouble you have taken in the matter. I have, &c, J. K. Logan. Superintendent of Electric Lines. S. Irwin Crookes, Esq., A.M.1.E.E., F.C.S., Onslow Road, Epsom, Auckland. [Tel. 00/844.] No. 67. The Hon. the Postmaster-General to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. (W N 64 ) 13th March > 1909 - Circulars No. 6 [not printed] and Notifications up to No 13 [not printed] have been duly received. Any issued since those two numbers respectively should be forwarded. No copies of he documents of the Berlin Conference, 1906, or of the Berlin Convention have been received from the „ ~a„onal Office, nor have any additional copies of the Journal Telegraphique, due in consequence , , „ the Radu.telcgraphic Convention, been received. The reply asked to be sent by telegraph tothe letter Colonial Office should be that this Government is willing to begin. ita contribution to the expense of the International Bureau on account of its adherence to the Radiotelegraphic Convention as from the Ist January, 1907. ■)• G. Ward, Postmastej-GeneraL [Tel. 00/844(2).] .... No. 68. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. s _ Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 2nd April, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 12th February last, covering copy of correspondence with Mr. H. W. Sullivan on the subject of his offer to instal in New Zealand his system of wireless telegraphy, and a copy of Sir W. H. Preece s report^hereon The question of establishing wireless-telegraph stations in New Zealand, and fixing the positions thereof has not yet been determined, although it is under consideration. In the meantime, I should be obliged if you would reply to Mr. Sullivan thanking him for his statmg that it cannot be entertained at present. av £ G C^ ARD prime M^ter. The Hon. Wm. Hall-Jones, High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. [Tel. 00/844(5).]

Approximate Co* of Paper.-mpinMm (not given); printing (1|«10 oopie.). ttl I* M

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o9.

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TELEGRAPH CABLES AND WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 10th October, 1908.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909 Session II, F-08

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TELEGRAPH CABLES AND WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 10th October, 1908.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909 Session II, F-08

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TELEGRAPH CABLES AND WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 10th October, 1908.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909 Session II, F-08

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Pages 1-20 of 25

Pages 1-20 of 25

Pages 1-20 of 25

Pages 1-20 of 25

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TELEGRAPH CABLES AND WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 10th October, 1908.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909 Session II, F-08

Using This Item

No known copyright (New Zealand)

TELEGRAPH CABLES AND WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 10th October, 1908.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909 Session II, F-08

Using This Item

No known copyright (New Zealand)