F.—B.

No. 162. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th June, 1903. Any decision Pacific terminal rate? If not, probably raise to fivepence, Government fourpence— same as Australia. Am not averse to proposals Chairman Board. Wrote last Frisco mail.

No. 163. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Pacific Cable. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 9th June, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th January last [No. 289] with reference to the insertion of code time in cablegrams, and the Australian and New Zealand terminal rates. As you are now aware, the matter of the code time has been satisfactorily arranged. On the 16th February I advised you by cable that it was proposed, provided this did not interfere with your negotiations, to raise the New Zealand terminal rate on telegrams vid Pacific as a temporary measure, to which advice I received a reply asking that action be deferred for a few days, and & later telegram mentioned two weeks as the period. As no arrangement appears to have been come to in the matter, my Government will probably give notice to the Board, unless a definite decision is arrived at within a fortnight, that the New Zealand terminal rates on international traffic via the Pacific will be raised to fivepence ordinary, and fourpence Government —the same as the rates levied by Australia. I am nol unfavourable to the Board's proposals for dealing with the matter as set out in the confidential memorandum of the Chairman dated the 26th February, copy of which you sent me under cover of your letter on the 6th March. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New For the Prime Minister. Zealand, London.

CONGRATULATIONS.

No. 164. His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Wellington, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. New Zealand offers hearty congratulations to England on completion of the Pacific cable, thus bringing her dominions over seas into closer contact, to our mutual benefit, and forging a further strong link in the bond of unity of Empire.

No. 165. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia (at Sydney), to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 31st October, 1902. Congratulations from Australia to her sister New Zealand. May their common interests in this now completed project lead to a better knowledge of each other and a nearer approach to community of aims and interests !

No. 166. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia (at Sydney). (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. New Zealand heartily reciprocates congratulations from Commonwealth Australia on completion great national work laying Pacific cable, and confidently believes that kind wishes expressed for better knowledge of each other and community of interests will be verified. Our fervent desire is to have side by side with prosperous New Zealand a happy and prosperous Australia.

No. 167. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. New Zealand extends hearty congratulations to Canada on completion Pacific cable, thus forging another strong link in chain of communication throughout our great Empire and bringing the dominions over the seas into closer contact, which we believe will be to our mutual benefit.

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