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of their desire to meet the convenience of the telegraphing public as far as possible, and believing also that the New Zealand Parliament will appreciate their motives for terminating the existing dispute. The Agent-General now infoims me that your Government will approve his suggestion that the company should restore the status quo ante for the next six months, upon the company agreeing to lower the Press rate to threepence per word on a guarantee of Press that the Press revenue will not suffer by that reduction. In further evidence of our desire to meet the public requirements, I accept this proposal, on the understanding that you insure the Press guarantee. Immediately on receiving your acceptance of this arrangement, orders will be sent to our Agents, and the Government and Press will be notified accordingly.
The Chairman, Eastern Extension Company, to the Postmasters-General, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 12th November, 1886. The company have agreed to a proposal made by the Agent-General of Now Zealand for removing the deadlock between his Government and the company, by reverting for six months to the position occupied by the company and. the Government before the first November, in order to give the New Zealand Parliament the opportunity of reviewing the whole question of telegraphic communication next session. The company have also agreed to reduce the tariff for Press messages to threepence per word upon a Press guarantee to make up the same amount of Press revenue, and I hope that the sacrifice the company thus make will be appreciated by the Governments, public, and Press, and viewed as a further evidence of the company's desire to meet their convenience and requirements. I forward a copy of a telegram I have addressed to Sir Julius Vogel, and should be glad to receive an expression of your satisfaction at the termination of the existing dispute.
No. 4. The Agent-General, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 30th November, 1886. In continuation of my letter of the 18th instant, No. 1,504,1 now transmit copies of further telegrams printed by the Eastern Extension Company relating to the New Zealand cable. I was glad to see that on the 24th Mr. Pender telegraphed to all the Postmasters-General to refund the 4s. charge collected since the Ist of the month. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. E. D. Bell.
The Chairman, Eastern Extension Company, to the Postmasters-General, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. 23rd November, 1886. I forward you copy of telegram which I have to-day addressed to Sir Julius Vogel, and which practically removes the deadlock for present. I hope before the six months expire that the New Zealand connection with Australia will be put on a satisfactory footing for the future. I also hope that the Australian Governments will see the desirability of considering the company's guarantee proposal, as it would give the colonies complete control over telegraph system, and enable them to make the rates what they please.
The Agent, Sydney, to the Eastern Extension Company, London. 23rd November, 1886. 19th November. —Queensland Government notify that they have ceased until further notice to collect New Zealand land rates. Wellington Times jubilant, cordially congratulates Vogel on the victory achieved.
The Agent, Melbourne, to the Eastern Extension Company, London. 23rd November, 1886. 23rd November. —Postmasters of New South Wales and South Australia ask Chairman to authorize reverting to New Zealand former tariff for ordinary messages pending tho settlement of the Press guarantee.
The Chairman, Eastern Extension Company, to the Postmasters-General, Victoria, New South Wales, New Zealand, South Australia, and Queensland. 24th November, 1886. In continuation of my telegrams of yesterday, and to make the status quo ante complete, I authorize you to refund to the senders of messages the additional charge of 4s. collected for the New Zealand cable since the Ist November. {Approximate Cost of Eaper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,400 copies), £9 2s. Od.J
Authority: George Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB7.