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respect of this reduction. lam writing to our Mr. Gill in Wellington to-day, requesting him to issue to our operators on the ferry-steamers the necessary instructions which will enable the new rates to be brought into operation on the Ist August, but if that date should not be suitable to tbe arrangement of your Department I should be very pleased if you will inform Mr. Gill, so that he can defer issuing the instructions until some later date. I am asking Mr. Gill to include with his instructions the minimum charge of Is. 3d. per message. I note that you consider it advisable to restrict the operation of the reduction to the ferry service for the present, but if the step proves by results to be justified the Minister contemplates extending the reduction further. I have, &c, E. T. Fisk, The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Technical Manager.

No. 121. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 25th August, 1914. As it has not been definitely stated you agree reduced rates applying all vessels licensed by Australia and New Zealand when communicating with Australian stations irrespective of vessel's route, shall be glad cable advice to this effect. Failing agreement, old rates of 6d. coast station and 4d. ship station will be reverted to by this Administration from Ist proximo.

No. 122. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th August, 1914. Your telegram 25th : This Dominion agrees to its reduced wireless rates applying to all vessels licensed by Australia and New Zealand trading exclusively between Commonwealth and Dominion when communicating with Dominion stations. Regret unable extend concession to vessels engaged other routes. No objection to Commonwealth extending its reduced rates to vessels licensed by this Dominion when communicating with Australian station irrespective of route.

No. 123. The Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited, Sydney, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited, Sir, — Wireless House, 97 Clarence Street, Sydney, 29th August, 1914. We have to inform you that after a considerable amount of discussion between tho Department in Australia and this company, tho Department has intimated that the reduced rates for radio-telegraph messages should apply to all vessels licensed in Australia and New Zealand when communicating with Australian stations, and if this is not agreed upon the old rates of 6d. and 4d. will be reverted to by the Australian Government. We are informed that the Australian Department has communicated with you by cable in the matter. For your information I enclose herewith copies [not printed] of the last letters which have been exchanged with Melbourne, and we should feel grateful if you will acquaint us with your views in the matter. ■ We have, &c, E. T. Fisk, The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Technical Manager.

No. 124. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, Ist September, 1914. With reference to your cablegram of the 28th ultimo, and previous correspondence, relative to the reduction of wireless-telegraph rates, I have the honour to inform you that this Department has been in communication with the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited, on the subject, and the following is an extract from a communication which has been received from them in regard to the matter :— " We must ask you to reconsider your decision to revert to the old rates on the Ist September, as it would be impossible to advise all our ship stations in the time. In reference to the alternative suggested by you, of making the low rates generally applicable to all ships licensed in Australia or New Zealand, we also think that this is a question which, requires careful consideration; and, further, if we were agreeable to your suggestion it would not be right for us to adopt it without consulting the New Zealand Administration, because it would place them in the position of having to make a similar

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