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New Zealand in sharing the loss, I will be prepared to recommend Government to accept company's offer. Of our share of the loss on intercolonial cable traffic I propose that we bear one third, and the balance, £8,773, to be shared by ourselves and other colonies on basis population—New Zealand to join the other colonies in the guarantee arrangement, including South Australian land line, but not duplicate cable subsidy. I trust colonies will entertain proposals, as in addition to securing large reduction in intercolonial cable rates, the fact of Now Zealand joining in the guarantee may also be the means of inducing Queensland to come in. Have sent similar telegrams to Postmasters-General other colonies, except Queensland. Hope for an early and favourable reply.

No. 4. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Adelaide, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office. Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 29th July, 1892. Does intercolonial rate of two shillings for ten words and one penny additional word in Ward's telegram mean cable rate only, exclusive of New South Wales and New Zealand rates of one shilling each for ten words and one penny per additional word, making rate between New Zealand and New South Wales four shillings ten words, and threepence each additional word ? Further, will New Zealand as a final arrangement contribute to the subsidy for Tasmanian cables, viz., £4,200, same as other colonies ? Do yon think will fall in ?

No. 5. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmastee-Geneeal, Adelaide. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th July, 1892. The intercolonial rate of two shillings first ten words and threepence each additional word mean cable rate only.' Postmaster-General unable agree share subsidy Tasmanian cables.

No. 6. The Hon. the Ministee for Education, Adelaide, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 4th August, 1892. My Government are willing to agree to bear their proportion of contributions to New Zealand for reduced rates on terms stated in your telegram of 28th July, if the other colonies interested join.

No. 7. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmastees-Geneeal, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, and the Postmastee-Geneeal, Perth. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth August, 1892. Cable rates and my telegram 28th ultimo : South Australian Government agrees to bear proportion of guarantee New Zealand-Sydney cable if other colonies interested join. As New Zealand proposes to share with you in general guarantee on European cable, I hope for similar reply as South Australia from your Government.

No. 8. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, sth August, 1892. With reference to your telegram of 28th ultimo re reduction cable rates, I would be glad to have further and fuller information on the subject by letter, as from figures and information supplied I fail to see what benefit would accrue to Victoria under conditions offered, and there appears to be some discrepancy in the figures given.

No. 9. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th August, 1892. Cable reductions : I have received your telegram of yesterday, and regret that there should be any apparent discrepancy in the figures as received by you. I will endeavour to make position clear. If proposed reduced rates on New Zealand-Sydney cable adopted, company estimates that its receipts will fall off by £17,547. New Zealand required to bear three-fourths (£13,160) of this loss, and the company takes the risk of the other fourth (£4,387). Of New Zealand's three-fourths' risk we propose to guarantee one-third (£4,387), and to share the other two-thirds (£8,773) with colonies. £2,964 is estimated to be Victoria's proportion, and £5,974 New Zealand's. This colony to join in general guarantee arrangement (but excluding duplicate cable subsidies), under which we