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No. 95. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Melbourne, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. BIR,- Prime Minister's Office, Melbourne. 27th Maw 1910. [Received 1 (it n June.] In acknowledging the receipt of your telegram of the 11th instant, relative to the CanadianAustralian mail contract. I have the honour to inform you that the extension of the present contract for one year from Ist August next had already been practically arranged at the time of the receipt of your message. This was consented to in order to allow time in which to make necessary arrangements for a better service by the Vancouver route. The question of including a New Zealand port of call in any service to be arranged to come into operation after lie 31s1 July, 1911. is now receiving the serious consideration of the Government, and you will he further advised on the subject as soon as a definite decision has been arrived at. I have, &c, Andrew Fisher. The Right lion, the Prime Minister of the Dominion of New Zealand. Wellington. ! P.O. 10/379(4).]

No. 96. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd June, 1910. Press reports Canada calling alternative tenders Vancouver-Australian service Kindly reply stating routes advertised. [Van. Misc. 10/71. |

No. 97. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, Uth .June. 1910. Vancouver mail-service: On eleventh ultimo I telegraphed urging that the Commonwealth should fall in with the proposal to allow the Vancouver steamers to call at Auckland as from the beginning of August, but so far 1 have not received a reply from you. 1 trust I shall not appear to be too insistent but. as my firs! letter to your predecessor was sent as far back as November last, and as nothing beyond acknowledgements has been received. 1 should be glad if you could favour me with a definite reply. I indicated in my telegram that if the Commonwealth could not see its way to meet New Zealand it would be necessary for this Dominion to consider about arranging a service of its own ; but. as 1 pointed out. this would he undesirable, as it would probably mean two services not of the first class instead of a combined up-to-date service. Not having heard anything officially from you, I am at a loss to know what is the present position of the matter. In any case i understand both Canada and the contractors would still be agreeable to the Auckland call being arranged from August. | Van. Misc. 10/114.]

No. 98. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 18th June, 1910. Four alternatives asked : Vancouver-Sydney, as now : second. Vancouver-Melbourne, via AucklandSydney : third, Vancouver-Brisbane, via Auckland-Sydney ; fourth provides sailing Vancouver to such ports hereinbefore mentioned as may be specified by tenderers. Inform ffoldsworth. Mailing form. |Van. Misc. LO/116.]

No. 99. [News Exteaot, 20th June, 1910.] (Telegram.) Melbourne. 19th June, 1910. Sir WILFRiD Laurier, the Canadian Prime Minister, has cabled the Commonwealth PostmasterGeneral, Mr. Josiah Thomas, as follows : — " I would be glad if your Government would consent to call at New Zealand both ways on the Canadian mail-service, the call to commence forthwith." Strong representations have been made m the Governmenl of Canada in the interests of mail and passenger traffic, and it is understood that the Government of New Zealand is willing to contribute. Mr. Thomas is not inclined to interfere with the present service, but has cabled to Canada for further information. [H. 1.8. p. 417.]