D,—4,

1884. NEW ZEALAND.

CONVEYANCE OF IMMIGRANTS AND CARGO BY DIRECT STEAM LINE TO THE COLONY (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO). [In Continuation of F.-4, 1883.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. gm , • 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 31st May, 1883. In the letter which I addressed to you on the Ist instant,* I told you that I did not then dismiss altogether the chance of some proposal being made jointly by the New Zealand topping Company and the Shaw-Savill-Albion Company ; and-I mentioned that perhaps a way might seem open; if the two companies could not approach each other, for some proposition by the New Zealand Shipping Company on its own account. I have now to state that, notwithstanding all the efforts which I have made, and the recommendations that I have given, we must give up any idea of united action by the two companies : indeed I now think it most likely that they will come to open war about the trade. Dut it lias now been finally determined by the Shaw-Savill-Albion Company to build two steamers at once, in addition to those which the New Zealand Shipping Company is building; and the plans [or these two steamers have been settled. It is therefore certain that there are now five steamers building, or to be immediately built, for the New Zealand trade. . , . ,;, , f _.„„ I received this morning the Hon. the Premier's telegram informing me of the agreement you have made with the Government of New South Wales for the renewal of the San Erancisco contract. For the present, therefore, I may assume the postal question to be settled. With regard to the question of Government freight and emigrants in the steamers now being despatched by the New Zealand Shipping Company, I am at this moment endeavouring to prevent an open rupture between the two companies over a claim set up by the New Zealand Shipping Company, which would create a monopoly of the trade in their favour. As this subject, however, comes more properly m the department of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, I do not now trouble you with any remarks Thave not yet been able to go to Paris, but have engaged to do so early next month. J. IlBjV6j &C, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 2. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister of Immigration. <a _ 7 Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 12th June, 1883. • - In my letter of the 31st ultimo, No. 155,1 described in general terms the position m which I found myself by what seemed an impending rupture between the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw-Savill-Albion Company. . I stated plainly to both sides that I should regard any scheme of one company for inflicting iniury on the other by offering to carry our emigrants and freight at losing rates, with the same aversion as a claim to a monopoly of our emigrants and freights, and as bemg an equal viola ion oftheUnderstanding which I had found in existence upon taking office; and 1 added that unless the companies could make up their differences I should have to take my own course without reference to either. . ——

~ * No. 3 of F.-2b, 1883.

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