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No. 34. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Adelaide, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) ' Adelaide, 14th March, 1914. A week-end service has been arranged between Great Britain and Union of South Africa on basis of quarter-rates with minimum twenty words to come into force first April next. Will New Zealand accept similar service via Cocos to come into force same date —viz., a tariff of eightpence per word, with minimum thirteen shillings and fourpence, to include terminal rate halfpenny South Africa, farthing New Zealand, and transit penny farthing Australia; such week-end messages to be subject same rules as deferreds; delivery to continue to be Tuesday for present; prefix TWT only to be used, and messages to be dealt with telegraphically throughout. If desired, service could be extended to South and North Rhodesia and Nyassaland. Germany also desires to extend week-end messages with New Zealand. Tariff proposed is sixteen shillings and eightpenee per minimum of twenty words, including prefix, and tenpence each additional word. Company prepared pay same transit and terminal rates Australia and New Zealand as in case South African traffic. Glad if you would kindly give decision early as convenient. Am in communication Commonwealth on subject. [P. & T. 11/).]
No. 35. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 20th March, 1914. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 12th December last, on the subject of the proposal to institute for week-end cable-letter traffic between Great Britain and Australasia a single uniform rate of 9d. per word, with a minimum of 15s. per message, such rate to cover telegraphic transmission in the countries of origin and destination. This Government favours a reduction of the minimum charge per message from 18s. to 155., and it considers that such messages should be telegraphed throughout their route, New Zealand receiving its inland charge of per word. 1 should be glad if you would so inform the Pacific Cable Board. I have, &c, R. Heaton Rhodes, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, F.R.G.S., High Commissioner for New Zealand, London.
No. 36. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Adelaide, to the Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 24th March, 1914. Any reply re proposed revised scheme week-ends for South Africa and Germany? Company quite prepared pay similar transit terminal rate en Great Britain week-ends on conditions mentioned my recent message if agreeable Commonwealth and Zealand.
No. 37. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Adelaide. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th March, 1914. Dominion unable to agree to proposal in your telegram 14th instant. Department cannot accept allocation of one farthing. Would, however, be prepai - ed to favourably consider proposal extend system week-end cable messages South Africa and Germany on conditions in force present system exchanged with Great Britain; allocation to New Zealand to be halfpenny per word ; messages to be telegraphed throughout.
No. 38. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Adelaide, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 26th March, 1914. Your reply received. The revised week-end proposal is to have one class telegraphed throughout, based on quarter-rates, and minimum twenty words; hence suggestion New Zealand farthing terminal. Will Dominion not agree such proposal?