5

F.—7.

The High Commissioner considers it should be possible for the British Government to charge as moderate' rates on newspapers going from this country as the New Zealand Government charge on newspapers sent from the Dominion to the United Kingdom, if passenger and cargo steamers are used for carrying the mails. The postal authorities do not appear to realize how great is the interest of the overseas people in the doings of thisjcountry, and it is especially necessary at the present time that those people should be kept well informed of all that is going on. The best way to secure this end is by allowing the mail-matter alluded to cheaper transit. The High Commissioner feels sure that if his suggestion for cheapening the postal rates were adopted there would be such an increase in the matter despatched that the British Government would be put to no expense. On several occasions lately he has thought it advisable to send certain newspapers to New Zealand., and in order to bring the matter within the Id. rate he has, in some instances, been obliged to throw away three-quarters of the newspaper, merely sending the portion especially dealing with the point under consideration. On one occasion six hundred copies of a newspaper were sent, and a large portion had to be thrown away, which the High Commissioner is sure the people in the Dominion would have appreciated. To the High Commissioner it seems singular that concession, which means so much to the Empire and would cost so little to the British Government, if anything at all, is not granted. He is of opinion that later on the concession will be made, and then people will wonder why so important a reform should have been delayed so long and what blindness caused the delay. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, ColonialJOffice, S.W. C. Weay Pallisee.

No. 8. The Eight Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 18th January, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th November last in reference to the representations made by you with a view to securing a reduction in the rate of postage on newspapers and periodicals from the United Kingdom to New Zealand. I await with interest the result of your last representations. I have, &c, E. Heaton Rhodes, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, F.E.G.S., High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. ,JV 11—»»,..,,■, ■ ■ .■.■■■■bmwii

No. 9. The High Commissioner to the Eight Hon. the Prime Minister. Sir, — Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London S.W., 11th February, 1915. Eeferring to my letter of the 27th November last, and to previous correspondence with regard to my efforts to obtain the desired reduction in the rate of postage on newspapers and periodicals from this country to New Zealand, I have the, honour to enclose, for your information, copies of two further letters from the Colonial Office in answer to mine of the 27th November, of which I sent you a copy with my above-quoted communication. ' I have, &c, The Eight Hon. tho Prime Minister, Wellington. Thos. Mackenzie.

Enclosure 1 in No. 9. The Under-Secretary op State for the Colonies to the Secretary to the High Commissioner. g rß; — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 15th December, 1914. I am directed by Mr. SecretaryJHarcourt to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th November, and to request you to inform the High Commissioner that he is communicating further with the Postmaster-General with reference to the question of lowering the rates on magazines and newspapers to New Zealand. 1 have, &c, Henry Lambert, For the Under-Secretary of State. The Secretary, Office of the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London.

2—F. 7.