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No. 3. (General.) \ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies presents his compliments to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand, and is directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to him for the information of his Government the papers described in the subjoined schedule, respecting the proposed separate representation of the New Zealand Post Office in the affairs of the Postal Union. Downing Street, 29th November, 1900.

Enclosures. Sir,-— Foreign Office, 20th November, 1900. I am directed by the Marquess of Landsdowne to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, a copy of a letter from the Post Office respecting the proposed separate representation of New Zealand Post Office in the affairs of the Postal Union. This separate vote is desired by the New Zealand Government, as the Post Office letter points out, because that colony has not joined, and does not at present propose to join, the Australian Commonwealth, so that its postal interests will, in future, be separate from those of Australia. Her Majesty's Postmaster-General proposes to support the application of the New Zealand Post Office, and Lord Lansdowne is disposed to concur in this course, but, before taking any steps in the matter, His Lordship would be glad to learn whether Mr. Chamberlain sees any objection to the proposal. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. H. Sakdeeson.

Sic, — General Post Office, 16th November, 1900. I am directed to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that the Postmaster-General has been requested by the Government of New Zealand, through the Agent-General for the colony, to support an application from the New Zealand Post Office to the Postal Union for a separate vote in Union affairs. This separate vote is desired by the New Zealand Government because the colony has not joined, and. does not at present propose to join, the Australian Commonwealth, so that its postal interests will in future be separate from those of Australia. I am to explain that to attain its object, the Post Office of New Zealand will have, under the provisions of Article XXVI. of the Convention of Washington, to submit a proposal, with the support of at least two Union Administrations, to the Union, through the International Bureau, for the modification of Article XXVII. of the Convention, under which one vote is at present assigned to "the whole of the British Colonies of Australasia," and this proposal will have to receive an unanimity of votes. In reminding the New Zealand Post Office of the necessary procedure, the PostmasterGeneral has expressed his willingness to support the proposal of that Office, provided that Her Majesty's Government sees no objection, and at the same time has suggested that a second supporter might be found in either the Post Office of Canada, or that of the United States. He now learns through the Agent-General for New Zealand that the Canadian Government has been approached in accordance with this suggestion, and has promised its support. The single vote at present exercised by the whole of the Australasian Colonies was assigned to them when they simultaneously entered the Union. In the opinion of the Postmaster-General the new circumstances created by the decision of New Zealand not to join the Australian Commonwealth furnish reasonable ground for the separate representation of New Zealand in Union affairs. In this connection, it may be well to remind the Secretary of State that a proposal is now before the Union for the assignment of additional votes to the United States, in view of the new circumstances resulting from the Spanish-American War. The British Post Office has voted in favour of that proposal, with the approval of the Secretary of State, given in a letter from the Foreign Office of the 15th August last. I am to ask if the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs sees any objection to the PostmasterGeneral's proposal to support the application of the New Zealand Post Office. It should perhaps be,. stated that the Postmaster-General, has not represented the matter to the Colonial Office, assuming that the Marquess of Lansdowne would probably desire himself to consult Mr. Secretary Chamberlain on the point. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. G. H. Mueeay.

SIE, Downing Street, 29th November, 1900. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge tbe receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, enclosing copy of one from the General Post Office respecting the proposed separate representation of the New Zealand Post Office in the affairs of the Postal Union.

Date. Nature of Dooument. 20th November, 1900 29th November, 1900 ... Foreign Office to Colonial Office (one inclosure). ... Colonial Office to Foreign Office.