F.—B

47

Marine Communication Company (Limited). It is pointed out that the ocean letter is a radio-telegram, which may be sent from a ship to another ship going in th j opposite direction, for delivery by registered post from the first port of call, the tariff for the first thirty words being ss. 6d., including postage and registration fee, and for each word thereafter, up to a maximum of 100 words, Id. At present the messages are exchanged only between ship stations controlled by the Marconi Company. If this system of ocean letters has been reported to you, the High Commissioner will be glad to learn what action (if any) is proposed to be taken to extend the benefits of the system beyond the present restricted area over which they can be enjoyed, so that he may transmit the information to the New Zealand Government. I have, &c, C. Wray Palliser, The Secretary, General Post Office, London E.C. Secretary to the Department.

Enclosure 2 in No. 139. The Secretary to the High Commissioner, to tho Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Sir,— 13 Victoria Street, London S.W., 4th July, 1913. I am directed by the High Commissioner to inform you that he has received a letter from the New Zealand Government with reference to the system of ocean letters introduced by the Marconi International Marine Communication. Company (Limited), asking if the system in question has been reported to the International Office and to the General Post Office, London; and, if so, what action (if any) is proposed to be taken to extend the benefits of the system beyond the present restricted area over which they can be enjoyed. I enclose herein copy of letter addressed to the Secretary, General Post Office, inquiring for particulars so far as that Department is concerned, and the High Commissioner would be obliged if you could kindly ascertain and furnish any information from the International Office that will enable him to reply to his Government. T have, <fcc, C. Wray Palliser, Secretary to the Department. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

Enclosure 3 in No. 139. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the High Commissioner. Sir, — • General Post Office, London, 20th August, 1913. In reply to your letter of the 3rd ultimo concerning the system of " ocean letters " which has been introduced by the Marconi International Marine Communication Company, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to inform you that the system was introduced in January last under his authority. It was already in operation on certain foreign ships, and the Postmaster-General would have no objection to its extension to British ships whose wireless installations are controlled by other companies. As, however, the charges are less than those authorized by the international regulations, any proposals >.> tor the extension of the system should originate with the shipowners or wireless companies concerned. The conditions under which the system is operated on British ships are as stated in your letter, but there are further conditions as follows :— (I.) That the messages shall not be transmitted when either of the ships concerned is within range of a coast station ; (2.) That only one ship-to-ship transmission is allowed ; and (3.) That radio-telegrams accepted under the provisions of the International Convention shall not be delayed. I have, &c, E. Crabb, The, High Commissioner for New Zealand. For the Secretary.

No. 140. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 27th August, 1913. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the General Post Office furnishing particulars of a system of " ocean letters " which the Marconi International Marine Communication Company (Limited) were authorized by the Postmaster-General in January last to introduce. 2. As regards the extension of the system to British ships whose wireless installations are controlled by companies other than the Marconi International Marine Communication Company, the Postmaster-General has pointed out that as the charges to be made by that company are less than those authorized by the international regulations any proposals for the extension of the system should originate with the shipowners or wireless companies concerned. I have, dec, L. Harcourt. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.