1.—7

8

No. 4. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Pbemieb. (Telegram.) • London, 19th July, 1898. Confidential : Pacific Cable. — Canadian Postmaster - General in London. Have ascertained Canadian views on cable friendly but indefinite. Agents-General Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, myself glad have authority meet Imperial Government and Canada here at informal conerence view facilitate adoption some scheme. No binding decision to be settled, but opinions onference to be sent to respective Governments. Glad you authorise me accordingly.

No. 5. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st July, 1898. Pacific Cable.—Referring to your cablegram nineteenth, much pleasure authorising you confer with other Agents-General and representatives of Imperial Canadian Governments as proposed.

No. 6. The Hon. the Peemiee, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 25th July, 1898. Confidential.—l received the following telegram from our Agent-General, viz.: " London, 19th July. —Confidential: Pacific cable.—Canadian Postmaster-General now in London. I have ascertained Canadian views on cable friendly but indefinite. Agents-General for Queensland, New South Wales, New Zealand, and I would be glad to receive authority to meet Imperial Government and Canada here at informal conference, with a view to facilitate adoption of some scheme. No binding decision to be arrived at, but opinion of conference to be transmitted to respective Governments. Should be glad to know whether you will authorise me accordingly.—Andeew Claeke." Probably you received similar message. I replied that this Government had no objection to conference on terms proposed.

No. 7. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th July, 1898. Yes, I received a cable from our Agent-General same terms as yours, and replied that I saw no objection our Agent-General attending conference so long no committal.

No. 8. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hon. the Pbemiee, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th July, 1898. Pacific Cable.—Our Agent-General also instructed.

No. 9. The to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 29th July, 1898. Pacific Cable Confeeence.—Suggest communicate Premier, Queensland. Only he and yourself can save scheme and secure for colonies reduced cable-rates. Outside Queensland and New Zealand every one lukewarm. Am convinced cable will pay from outset. Involve no burden taxpayers.

No. 10. The Hon. the Peemiek and Colonial Teeasueee, Sydney, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, Ist August, 1898. Have received the following cable, dated the 29th July, from our Agent-General: " Pacific Cable : Informal conference held to-day. Canada represented by Postmaster-General and High Commissioner for Canada; New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, New Zealand by Agents-General. Canadian representatives suggested Canada would probably guarantee two-ninths