31

A.—2

As regards (c), the question whether the proposed (or any) reduction is feasible is one for the Pacific Cable Board and the cable companies concerned and for Australia. As regards (d), the Eastern Company favour the proposal, but the Pacific Cable Board have hitherto objected on the ground that it would involve the transfer of traffic from the deferred service to the week-end service, and so cause loss of revenue. The matter is again one for decision by the Board. As regards (c), the first part, of this recommendation, so far as can be gathered, has reference to the rule that the sender of a deferred telegram must sign a declaration printed at the foot of the telegram form and testifying that the telegram is entirely in plain language, and must insert the name of the language used. So far as the Post Office is aware, there has been no complaint by the public regarding this rule, which is a safeguard against the abuse of the service. It is a general rule that the official symbol indicating the nature of a special class of telegrams shall be reckoned as a chargeable word. The main justification of this rule in the case of deferred telegrams and letter-telegrams is that it lessens the risk of the symbol being omitted through error in transmission. There are, however, objections to requiring the public to pay for the transmission of an indication needed for service purposes, and the question of proposing an amendment of the international rule on trie subject is being considered. The Commission also suggest that the fullest publicity be given to the system of deferred and week-end telegrams. So far as the United Kingdom is concerned, the Post Office has used, and will continue to use all opportunities to make the services widely known. It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that the recommendations of the Commission in regard to telegraphs do not in the main come within the province of the Post Office. In regard to the few points which directly concern the Post Office, the Postmaster-General thinks that'the steps already taken are adequate. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. Crabb.

No. 33. New Zealand, No. 204. My Lord,— Downing Street, 14th May, 1914. With reference to Your Excellency's telegram of the 22nd April, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying list of the members of the new Advisory Committee for the Imperial Institute. 2. I have to add that the Government of the Union of South Africa have deferred nominating their representative until the appointment of a successor as High Commissioner to the late Sir Richard Solomon. T have, &c, L. HARCOURT Governor His Excellency the Right Flon. the Earl of Liverpool K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Imperial Institute Advisory Committee. Right Hon. Lord Emmott, C.C.M.G. Right Hon. Lord Allerton ... Sir H. Llewellyn Smith, K.C.B. ... . . Sir A. E. Bateman, K.C.M.G. f A PP ol «ted by the Board of Trade. Sir Owen Philipps, K.C.M.G. Mr. George Miller Right Hon. Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, G.C.M.G. ) Appointed by the Secretary- of Stite for th, Mr. C. Alexander Harris, C.8., CM.G., M.V.O. ) Colonies ' Sir John Hewett, G.C.5.1., CLE. ... ) . Mr. F. C. Drake ... ... ... ... j A PPomted by the Secretary of State for India. Sir Sydney Olivier, K.C.M.G. ... Appointed by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. rlu H - H^ nd ' K.C.LE., F.R.S. Appointed by the Government of India Sir Thomas Skinner, Bart.... ... Appointed by the Government of the Dominion of Canada. Captain R. H. Muirhead Collins. C.M.G. Appointed by the Government of the Oommon- . • wealth of Australia. Hon. Thomas Mackenzie ... ... Appointed by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand. ••• Appointed by the Government of the Union of South Africa.