F.—B,
41
2. I shall be glad to learn in due course whether your Government desires to adhere to the convention, and in this connection I have to draw your attention to Article V of the final protocol, which provides that each of the colonies may separately adhere to, and may separately withdraw from, the convention. 3. The advantages likely to accrue to the United Kingdom from the ratification of the convention appear to His Majesty's Government to be fairly summed up in the report of the Select Committee, copies of which were forwarded to you in my "Library" despatch of the 19th July [see No. 89]. Your Ministers will no doubt recognise that the arguments of the Committee are in the main equally applicable to the colonies; and I trust that your Government will agree that the convention has been framed with careful regard to the interests of His Majesty's dominions beyond the seas. 4. The draft convention, which was submitted to the Berlin Conference, was communicated to you in my predecessor's despatch of 12th January, 1905 [not printed], but your Ministers will perceive that that draft was considerably modified, largely on the initiative of the British delegates at the Conference, and in a manner to safeguard the interests of the Empire. 5. The participation of the colonies which adhere to the convention in future Conferences is provided for by Article 12 of the convention and Article 1 of the final protocol, and it will be seen that the arrangement wall doubtless secure similar representation to that provided under the Postal Union, which has worked satisfactorily, as was admitted during the discussion of this question at the Colonial Conference. 6. Copies of the convention were sent to you in my " Library " despatch of 15th January last [not printed], and the Proceedings of Berlin Conference were communicated to you in my " Library " despatch of the 10th April [not printed]. I have, Ac, Elgin. Governor, the Right Honourable Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., Ac. [Tel. 07/156(13).]
No. 91. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th October, 1907. Do you know whether there is yet any definite arrangement for the transfer of "wireless" messages to and from land systems, and, if so, whether tariffs will be issued? [Tel. 07/156(16).]
No. 92. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 25th October, 1907. Following from Bamfield :— " In reply, there is no through word rate for 'wireless ' messages addressed to steamers; the rate would be the ordinary word-tariff to ' wireless ' stations plus the ' wireless ' tolls. These vary according to point. A list of steamers and stations with charges would be lengthy, but if of any use I can wire you. Have no advices re transatlantic ' wireless ' yet." [Tel. 07/156(16).]
No. 93. - The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th October, 1907. Re "wireless" : Does your telegram mean that for a "wireless" telegram to a steamer on the Atlantic we should charge rates to New York, the " wireless " charge being collected on delivery? No need to wire list of steamers and stations, but should be glad to have a copy by post. [Tel. 07/156(16).]
No. 94. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 28th October, 1907. Your service telegram: The "wireless" charges must be prepaid. There are four stations for transatlantic steamers on American coast —Babylon, Long Island, and Sagaponack, Long Island, two dollars for ten words and twelve cents each additional word; Seagate, Long Island, one dollar for ten words and six cents each additional word; Siasconsett, Mass., three dollars for ten words and eighteen cents each additional word. Rates for Canadian steamers, Cape Race, Newfoundland, three dollars for ten words and eighteen cents each additional word; Cape Wray, Newfoundland, two dollars for ten words and twelve cents each additional word. Address and signature not charged for. [Tel. 07/156(16).]
6—F. 8.