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From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 29th January, 1915. With reference to my'previous telegrams about "Suffolk" : Please advise immediately when steamer will leave for New Zealand. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 29th January, 1915. In reply to your telegram of 29th January : Had arranged, subject to your reply, to have "Suffolk" 'similar terms "Limerick " charter, but suggest you come to terms immediately with Commonwealth of Australia, who is responsible for reconditioning and hire until arrival London and during reconditioning, otherwise you will be responsible reconditioning, Ac. Henderson suggests that Commonwealth of Australia should at the least pay cost of reconditioning, drydocking, and surveying in New Zealand, and hand over stores and coal on board in place of amount they save in hire. Owners agree to give us benefit of their marine-insurance policy, we paying proportion from lime ship on hire except amount of £1.000; but Government must, however, hear, if required, war-risk insurance—namely, 1-J per cent. —for the round voyage. Admiralty expect to release vessel in very few days. Telegraph reply immediately. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to Acting Prime Minister of Commonwealth of Australia. 2nd February, 1915. Arrangements being made steamer " Suffolk " return New Zealand from Egypt to load frozen produce. Understand under terms charter your Government responsible for reconditioning and hire until arrival London and during reconditioning. Seeing my Government would take vessel over Egypt, would your Government agree pay cost of reconditioning, dry-docking, and surveying New Zealand, and hand over stores and coal on board in place of amount you save in hire? Glad receive early reply. Matter urgent. from High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 3rd February, 1915. Secondly, referring io my telegram of 29th January, presume that you were unable to fix up " Suffolk," which has been ordered bads to Australia from Egypt. ... It rests with you to ask Commonwealth of Australia to release " Suffolk." From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 4th February, 1915. With reference to your cablegram of 3rd February : Your telegram 29th January conveyed that you had arranged for " Suffolk " to come out to Now Zealand similar terms as " Limerick " charter, and I at once communicated with Australia about reconditioning. It is most disappointing to now learn that,steamer has been diverted. Advise reason of owners for not honouring proposal made Iry them. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 4th February, 1915. Will telegraph regarding " Suffolk " to-morrow. From High Commissioner for New Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. sth February, 1915. . Referring to your telegram of 4th February: Owners of "Suffolk" quite willing for her to proceed direct for New Zealand, but being under charter to Commonwealth of Australia latter now insists upon vessel going Adelaide to load. Owners and Admiralty transport do not anticipate vessel will be kept by Commonwealth, Admiralty having gone so far to forward orders releasing ship. On this I based my telegram of 29th January. An early reply to my telegram of 29th January would have assisted. From Acting Prime Minister of Commonwealth of Australia to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. 6th February. 1915. With reference to your telegram of 3rd February : Steamer " Suffolk " required for transport purposes. Regret unable to meet your wishes. S.S. "OPAWA." From Right. Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. Ist February, 1915. New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer " Opawa " just about arrived London. Ascertain and advise terms under which company would send steamer to New Zealand in ballast to load frozen meat. Government would nol object to pay half cost if quick outward despatch secured. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 11th February 1915. Anxiously awaiting reply my cable Ist February re s.s. " Opawa,"