5

F.—B

or otherwise of adopting such a course of policy in the future as would lead to the ultimate expropriation of private cables and the establishment of State-owned cables throughout the Empire, and to report thereon at the earliest opportunity, such report to be accessible to the public."

No. 8. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th September, 1900. What is position Pacific cable? Press message here says tenders opened. Cable lowest, giving exact position. New Zealand Government satisfied accept immediately matter decided. Cable us so that we may amend legislation.

No. 9. The Agent-General to the Hon.. the Premier. (Telegram.) London, 10th September, 1900. In reply to your telegram of 6th, Pacific cable : Negotiations still pending with regard to tenders received. Acting in full accord with Lord Strathcona and Sir Andrew Clarke.

No. 10. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Sydney, 2nd October, 1900. I am directed to forward herewith copy of a Bill [not printed] which it is proposed to introduce into the Legislative Assembly in this colony regarding the proposed Pacific cable [to enable the Government to join with other Governments in the cost of constructing and maintaining the Pacific cable]. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 11. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hons. the Postmasters-General, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th October, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith, for your information, copy of " The Pacific Cable Act, 1900," declaring that New Zealand's proportion of the guarantee referred to in the resolutions set forth in the schedule to " The Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, 1899" (a copy of which was sent you on the 27th October last), shall not exceed one-ninth, of the whole cost, as provided in No. 7 of those resolutions. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, [Brisbane] [Melbourne] [Sydney].

No. 12. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hons. the Premiers, Brisbane, Melbourne, Ottawa, and Sydney ; and to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 18th October, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith, for your information, copy of " The Pacific Cable Act, 1900," declaring that New Zealand's proportion of the guarantee referred to in the resolutions set forth in the schedule to " The Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, 1899 " (copy of which was sent you on the 27th October last) [No. 113, F.-8, 1900], shall not exceed one-ninth of the whole cost, as provided in No. 7 of those resolutions. I have, &c, E. J. Seddon. The Hon. the Premier, [Brisbane] [Melbourne] [Ottawa] [Sydney]. [Letter of the same text and date also to the Agent-General.]

No. 13. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-Geneßal. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 25th October, 1900. My letter of the 18th instant will have informed you of the passing of " The Pacific Cable Act, 1900," authorising this Government to pay up to one-ninth of the total cost of the proposed Pacific cable.