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No. 31. (New Zealand, General.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 25th November, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you copies of correspondence which has passed between the Foreign Office and this department respecting the suggested postponement from 1895 to 1896 of the next International Telegraph Congress, which is to be held at Buda Pesth. Her Majesty's Government will be glad to learn whether your Government agrees to the suggested postponement of the Congress. I have, &c, EIPON. The Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosures. Sib,— Foreign Office, 26th September, 1893. I am directed by the Earl of Eosebery to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Eipon, a translation of a note from the Austro-Hungarian Charge d'Affaires at this Court, suggesting that the next Telegraph Conference, which is to be held at Buda Pesth, should be postponed from 1895 to 1896, in order to coincide with the celebration of the one thousandth anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian monarchy. lam to inquire what answer should be returned to this communication. A similar communication has been addressed to the Post Office and the India Office. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Listee.

Monsibue le Comte, — Austrian Embassy, 20th September, 1893. It was decided at the International Telegraph Conference, held at Paris in 1890, to hold the next meeting of the Conference in 1895. Buda Pesth was chosen as the place of meeting, with the consent of the Eoyal Hungarian Government. It has since been decided, in accordance with Article 111. of the law of this year, to celebrate the one thousandth anniversary of the existence of Hungary in 1896, and to hold a great national exhibition at Buda Pesth in connection with the event. Under these circumstances, the Hungarian Government are very anxious that the Telegraph Conference should be postponed till the year 1896. This would give the members of the Conference an opportunity of observing the social and economical progress of Hungary. I should be glad if your Excellency would inform me whether Her Majesty's Government are willing to agree to the Telegraph Conference taking place in 1896 instead of 1895. If Her Majesty's Government have no objection to the postponement, I should be grateful if you would inform the Governments of the Cape, India, Natal, South Australia, New South Wales, New Zealand, and Tasmania of the wish of the Hungarian Government in the matter, and favour me with their replies. Thanking, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eosebery, K.G., &c. Wydenbeuck.

Sib,— Downing Street, 29th September, 1893. I am directed by the Marquis of Eipon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th September, enclosing a translation of a note from the Austro-Hungarian Charge d'Affaires at this Court suggesting that the next Telegraph Conference, which is to be held at Buda Pesth, should be postponed from 1895 to 1896, in order to coincide with the celebration of the one thousandth anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian monarchy. In reply, I am to request that you will state to the Earl of Eosebery that, on being informed of the decision of Her Majesty's Government by the Foreign Office, Lord Eipon will be prepared, if that decision should be in favour of the postponement, to bring the matter under the consideration of the British Colonies that are members of the Telegraph Union, as requested. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. Edwaed Wingfield.

Sib,— Foreign Office, 20th November, 1893. With reference to your letter of the 29th of September, respecting the postponement of the next International Telegraph Congress from 1895 to 1896, I am directed by the Earl of Eosebery to state to you, for the information of the Marquis of Eipon, that Her Majesty's Postmaster-General and the submarine telegraph companies of this country agree to the postponement. I am to add that the papers on the subject have been sent to the Government of India, with an intimation that the postponement will in all probability take place. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. Geey.