F.—6

36

for the present contribution of Canada plus the Fiji and New Zealand contributions, Canada reserving the right to require the contractors to proceed to Sydney or Melbourne, or both. I would express my thanks for a result so gratifying to my Government. The close connection with Canada will, I have no doubt, give a great impetus to trade between our countries, while the establishing of the new service will be a step towards the consummation (if the all-red mail route. In replying to your telegram I expressed my regret that the Commonwealth of Australia should have stood out. This will, it is hoped, be no more than temporary. I have, Aβ., J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. The Right Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, P.C., G.C.M.G., Prime Minister of Canada, Ottawa. [Vano. Misc. 11/29.1

No. 124. The Secretary, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Christchurch, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Sir, — Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, 20th January, 1911. I am directed by the Council of this Chamber to express its appreciation of the outcome of the negotiations to establish a mail-service via Vancouver. The Chamber has hoped for some time past that this might be an accomplished fact, and now that definite arangements have been made it desires to place on record the satisfaction felt in commercial circles. I have, (fee, H. Antill Adlby, Secretary. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. [Acknowledged by the Postmaster-General on the Bth February.] [Vane. Misc. 11/B.]

No. 125. The Consul for France, Auckland, to the Hight Hon. the Prime Minister. Sir, — Auckland, 2Gth January, 1911. The Vancouver mail-service being one of great importance to New Zealand, forming further a matter of international interest as a new link between the Continent of America and Australasia, I request you hereby to kindly let me have the particulars relating thereto, so that I may be able to transmit same to the Government of the French Republic. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., P. Marcus. Prime Minister of New Zealand, Wellington. [For reply see No. 130.] [Vane. Misc. 11/22.]

No. 126. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir, — Dunedin, 3rd February, 1911. lie Vancouver service : Referring to the various cables which have passed between us in reference to this matter, it affords me pleasure to advise that arrangements have now been made for the steamers employed in this service to call at Auckland after the expiry of the present contract on 31st July next. A contract has been made with the Canadian 'Government for a service between Vancouver and Auckland, via Honolulu and Suva (and vice versa), for a period of five years, subject to the Governments of New Zealand and Fiji contributing. The subsidy expected to be contributed by the New Zealand Government is £20,000 per annum, in terms of your cables, free of light, harbour, and dock dues, at the port or ports of call at New Zealand. In the meantime the Government of Australia have not become parties to the contract, but there is a proviso that the contractors may, at their option, continue through from Auckland to Sydney, making the latter, as at present, the terminal port of the line; and, further, that should the Commonwealth become a contributor to the subsidy the contractors will be required to proceed from Auckland to Sydney or Melbourne, or both, retaining any sum so contributed. In view of the probability of the Commonwealth joining in the service, it is our intention to continue to run through to Sydney, making it the terminus of the line. The final voyages under the present contract are —From Sydney, 31st July; and Vancouver, Bth September. The first sailings under the new contract will therefore be —From Sydney, 28th August; from Auckland, Ist September; and from Vancouver, 6th October. It is a condition