47

F.—6

steamer leaves Sydney on 26th instant and Fiji on sth proximo. " Taviuni " leaves Auckland on 26th instant, and should arrive Fiji on 3rd proximo. If the Auckland-Fiji route is to be relied on, the Vancouver service could be used with advantage for American correspondence, and at times for specially addressed correspondence for Great Britain. To what extent will the Pacific voyage be lengthened by steamers calling at Fiji ?

No. 144. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, Genera Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 18th February, 1902. Am sending you copy time-table Vancouver service current year. In order insure reaching Vancouver on Thursday, the steamers will in future leave Sydney on Monday, Brisbane Wednesday midnight, and Fiji Tuesday noon. As it happens, the " Taviuni " reaches Fiji on the Monday preceding the arrival of the Vancouver steamer from Brisbane, so will form a suitable connection from New Zealand, which we will endeavour to maintain. This connection can be relied upon for the next three months. It is possible, however, that the " Aorangi," in May, may be pushed ahead a week. Negotiations in this direction are now going on with a party of members of Federal Parliament, to enable them to reach London a week before Coronation. This interruption will, however, only be for the one occasion. The call at Fiji lengthens the through journey from Brisbane to Vancouver one day.

No. 145. The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, 25th February, 1902. I have the honour, by direction, to submit to you the following resolutions which were adopted at a Conference of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce recently held in Wellington, and to bespeak for the same your favourable consideration : — Resolved, "That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is desirable: (1.) That all postal contracts be restricted to services carried on under the British flag. (2.) That with this view the Government be respectfully urged to arrange for— (a) A monthly service between New; Zealand and Vancouver ; (b) a weekly service between New Zealand and Australia suitable to the requirements of both the North and the South Islands ; and such as will enable all parts of the colony to have the fullest advantage possible from the weekly Federal services between Australia and Europe vid Brindisi. I have, &c , The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. Carroll, Secretary.

No. 146. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th March, 1902. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to refer to your letter of the 25th ultimo, submitting copies of resolutions passed at a recent Conference of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, as follows [as in No. 145], and, in reply, to inform you that the representations of the Conference are duly noted. I have, &c, Thos. Rose, for the Secretary. The Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington.

No. 147. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, Bth April, 1902. What subsidy paid by New South Wales, Queensland, and Canada to Vancouver service? . . .

No. 148. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, Bth April, 1902. Present subsidies granted to Vancouver service are as follows: Canada, £25,000; New South Wales, £10,000 ; Queensland, £7,500.