31

F.—B,

No. 83. [News extract, 29th May, 1908.] The High Commissioner to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) Palais Conference, Lisbon, 26th May, 1908. The submission of code-books to the International Commission will be purely voluntary, and will not exclude existing code-books from use. [Tel. 08/822.]

No. 84. The Secretary, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, 9th June, 1908. Sir, — Coding Telegrams. I am directed to thank you for your reply to the representation of this Chamber against restricting the use of private codes in use. I notice by the cablegram yesterday that the Conference has decided to maintain the existing rules, but that the conditions with regard to pronounceability of words will be more clearly defined. It is hoped that the desire of the British delegates that codes should remain in force will be adopted. Yours, Ac, H. Antill Adley, Secretary. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. [Tel. 08/822(7).]

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. No. 85. The Director, International Bureau of Telegraphic Administrations, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. International Bureau of Telegraphic Administrations (International Sir, — Radio-telegraphic Convention), Berne, Ist January, 1907. In terms of Article XXXVII of the Detailed Regulations under the International Radiotelegraphic Convention of Berlin of the 3rd November, 1906, the International Bureau of Telegraphic Administrations was authorised, subject to the consent of the Government of the Swiss Confederation and the approval of the Telegraph Union, to undertake the duties of International Bureau as provided by Article 13 of the said Convention. The report of the ninth sitting (29th October) of the Berlin International Conference on Wireless Telegraphy contains the following passage: — " The President of the Regulations Commission is of opinion that the German Administration might represent the Conference with the Government of the Swiss Confederation in obtaining the latter's consent to the International Telegraph Bureau at once assuming the duties which the Radio-telegraphic Convention proposes to confer on it. It would be understood that any expenditure incurred from such new duties would be eventually met by the contracting Administrations when the new Convention comes into force. The International Bureau would have to inform the Administrations of the Telegraph Union of the Radio-telegraphic Convention without delay and to ask their adhesion thereto. The Commission confirms this resolution, and the German delegates agree to give effect to it. The Congress ratifies the Committees' proposal." By note dated the 4th December, 1906, the German Imperial Legation in Berne informed the Swiss Federal Council of the Acts of the Berlin Conference, and asked its consent to the International Telegraph Bureau assuming the new duties conferred' on it by the Radio-telegraphic Convention. Finally by a decision dated the Bth December last, the Swiss Federal Council accepted the proposal of the Berlin Conference. As regards the International Bureau of Telegraph Administrations, I feel highly honoured at the great confidence shown by the Berlin Conference, and will have pleasure in accepting, subject t) the approval of the Administrations of the Telegraph Union, the new duties conferred on me. In accordance with the above resolution passed by the Radio-telegraphic Conference at its sitting of the 29th October, I have the honour to forward you herewith two copies of the International Radio-telegraphic Convention and the regulations thereunder [not printed], and to ask you if you will consent to the International Telegraph Bureau undertaking the new duties as provided in Article 13 of the said Convention. I have, Ac, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. E. Frey, Director. [Tel. 08/389(5).]