E.—s.

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

TELEGRAPH CABLES. (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO) [In continuation of F.-5, 1892, presented on the 7th October, 1892.]

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

BEDUCTION OF BATES. No. 1. Extract from Beport of Proceedings of the Postal and Telegraph Conference held in Melbourne, in August, 1892. " General Post Office, Melbourne, 15th August, 1892. " The Hon. J. H. Gordon read a telegram which he had just received from the Hon. John Forrest, Premier of Western Australia, to the effect that if all the other contracting colonies agree to accept New Zealand's proposal [vide No. 3, F.-5, 1892], Western Australia will agree too. " The Hon. J. Kidd moved, and the Hon. the President seconded : ' That in view of the heavy loss sustained by the principal colonies in connection with the cable guarantee, dated 31st March, 1891, it be a recommendation to the respective Governments concerned that the following alteration in the tariff be adopted, with the concurrence of the Eastern Extension Cable Company, and brought into operation on the Ist October next—viz., ordinary messages to be increased from 4s. to 4s. 9d. per word.' —Carried. "The Hon. J. H. Gordon moved, and the Hon. J. Kidd seconded: 'That the Hon. the President of the Conference be authorised to communicate with the Eastern Extension Cable Company and the Governments of the other agreeing colonies (other than New South Wales and South Australia) conveying the result of this Conference,' &c.—Carried. " The Hon. J. H. Gordon moved, and the Hon. J. Kidd seconded: ' That the proposal by the Government of New Zealand to join the Colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania in the present guarantees to the Eastern Extension Cable Company and the Government of South Australia be accepted by the colonies mentioned.'— Carried."

No. 2. The Manages in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir,— Melbourne, 20th September, 1892. With reference to the proposed reduction of the New Zealand intercolonial tariff, and the increased European rate, I have the honour to send you copies of the agreements to be entered into between the contributing colonies and this company [not printed]; also, a copy of the principal agreement therein referred to. The agreements cannot be signed until the European administrations have given their assent to the proposed increased rate. When they do so, you will be immediately advised. A representative of the New Zealand Press Association called on me lately, and asked that the rate for Association messages may be reduced to 2d. per word. After duly considering the application, I informed him that if the Association guaranteed 75 per cent, increase of business I would recommend my Board to authorize the reduction, and I submitted this proposal for the consideration of the Chairman. The Chairman replies : "As basis of the proposed agreement with the New Zealand Government includes maintenance of the existing tariff for Bress Association messages, I—E. 5.