25

F.—B

No. 43. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist May, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of and to thank you for your letter of the 2nd February last, forwarding copy of memorandum prepared by you for the Canadian Government on the cost, annual expense, and revenue of the proposed Pacific cable. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, for the Premier. Sir Sandford Fleming, K.C.M.G., Ottawa.

No. 44. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) London, Ist May, 1899. Imperial Government, by letter received Saturday, offers subsidy towards annual expenses Pacific cable when constructed by Canadian-Australasian Governments. Subsidy to represent fiveeighteenths annual loss on expenses if any. But amount not to exceed £20,000 per annum, subject to following conditions : Cable must be laid to the satisfaction of Imperial Treasury, which must also approve rates to be charged, be entitled to examine annual accounts ; Imperial Government messages to have priority and to be charged half rates. Official letter states England's interest in cable comparatively small, but desire assist undertaking, having regard to its Imperial character.

No. 45. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, Sir,— London, S.W., 3rd May, 1899. Eeferring to my letter of the 21st April last, I beg herewith to transmit copy of letter from the Colonial Office conveying the decision of the Imperial Government as regards the form and extent of the assistance which they are prepared to give to the scheme for connecting Canada with Australia and New Zealand by a direct cable across the Pacific. I also enclose copies of the cablegrams which'l have since addressed to you with respect to the Imperial Government's proposal. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P Eeeves, Agent-General. [For Enclosures in No. 45, see No. 41, Enclosure in No. 42, and No. 44.]

No. 46. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, Sib,— London, S.W., sth May, 1899. Since writing my letter of the 3rd instant, despatched by this mail, the report with minutes of proceedings, &c, of the Pacific Cable Committee has been presented to the Houses of Parliament, and I herewith transmit a copy thereof. [For report see F.-Ba, 1899.] The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Eeeves.

No. 47. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeae, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 11th May, 1899. Pacific cable: Presuming you have notification of Great Britain's decision, do you think any action should be taken out here and so strengthen hands of Agents-General, who are apparently trying to get better terms ? Would a conference of Postmasters-General be desirable at this stage ?

No. 48. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeae, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th May, 1899. Pacific cable : Am of opinion that prompt and vigorous action should be taken to impress upon Imperial authorities that decision arrived at is unsatisfactory, and that we consider Great Britain should be joint owner with Canada and the colonies. Suggest your communicating with Canada and acting with her. Conference would emphasize protest, but as our session begins next month, regret I would be unable to go to Australia. Eecommend conference being held in New Zealand. Assume you are communicating with other colonies.

4—F. 8.