37
A.—2
opinion, the agreement in question, being purely of an administrative character, and dealing only with questions of the postal service, and being accepted, moreover, gratuitously by the Italian Posts and as a matter of courtesy, has not the character of a "union restreinte," in the sense of Article 21, No. 2, of the International Postal Convention of Washington, and need not therefore be either ratified or notified to the International Bureau at Berne. I beg you to inform His Majesty's Government of the reply of the Minister of Posts, and to let mo know whether the English authorities share his views, and I avail myself, &c. For the Minister, Prinetti. Sir E. Eodd, &c. Malvano.
The Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Borne, 12th July, 1901 (?). No agreement, properly so-called, in the sense of Article 21, No. 2, of the Universal Postal Convention of Washington, has been concluded between this Administration and that of New Zealand with a view to a reciprocal reduction of postal tariffs. Iv fact I wrote, in answer to the request of the Administration of New Zealand, when they invited us to conclude with them an " union plus restreinte " in the sense of the article £>f the Convention mentioned above, that I was not in a position to do so, since the exigencies of the Italian Treasury forbade such a course, and it was only in order to comply in a friendly manner with the urgent requests of the Administration of the colony that I consented that letters from New Zealand for Italy furnished with a penny stamp should be distributed without being taxed, when such letters (be it well understood, though it is not explicitly mentioned) were not stamped at the office from which they were posted with the stamp-mark " T," in accordance with Article VIII., Nos. 5 and 7, of the regulations and by-laws for the execution of the Convention. In reply to the inquiry of the International Bureau at Berne, whether this Administration had concluded with that of New Zealand an " union restreinte " in the sense of Article 21, No. 2, of the Convention, a reply in the negative was given on 18th July, 1901, and explanations were furnished. (See Enclosure D.) In these circumstances the concession made by courtesy to the Postal Administration of New Zealand, both in view of the intentions with which it was granted and on account of the facts of the case, cannot, in my opinion, be held to attain to the importance of a true and proper agreement, since the fundamental principle of mutual advantage is lacking to it.
Enclosure D. MONSEIUR LE DIRECTEUR, — En reponse a votre note dv 10 courant (No. 3496), Je m'enpressede vous informer que mon office n'a conclua avec la Nouvelle Zelande aucun accord special, dans le sens prevu par l'Article 21 de la Convention principale mais s'est limite a dormer son consentement it cc que les lettres expediees de la Nouvelle Zelande a l'ltalie Soient considerees comrue regulierement affranchies en raison dun penny par -J- once ou fraction de demi once ; la taxe dcs lettres expediees de l'ltalie ;\ la Nouvelle Zelande reste fixe a 25 centimes par port de 15 grammes, comme dans les relations avec tousles autres pays de I'Union Postale. Agrees, &c, (Firmato.) Migliorangi, Le Directeur General.
Telegram from Mr. Lowthek. Santiago, Chile, 11th August, 1902. Treaty : In answer to your despatch (No. 2), dated 17th May, the form of approval of arrangement is objected to by the Government of Chili, it being contrary to custom. Suggest a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs might be sufficient.
Telegram to Mr. Lowther. 14th August, 1902. Postal Agreement with New Zealand: Proposed procedure is based on that adopted in case of Washington Postal Convention, but approval of Chilean Government in the form of a note from the Chilean Minister for Foreign Affairs would suffice if exchanged against declaration inclosed in my despatch of 17th May.
No. 41. (No. 92.) My Lord, — Downing , Street, 12th September, 1902. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. I have &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. The Officer Administrating the Government of New Zealand.