F.—3.

Article 5 of the Principal Convention fixes in a general manner the charge for letters at 25 centimes per 15 grammes or fraction of 15 grammes, or the equivalent of this sum in money of those countries of the Union which have not the franc for their unit of value (see Article IV. of the regulation for the execution of the Principal Convention). The New Zealand Administration is therefore obliged to levy this charge—that is to say, 2-Jd. per single rate of letters addressed to any place wichin the Union, unless in conformity with section 2 of Article 21 of the Principal Convention it concludes with certain Administrations agreements for restricted unions with a view to the reduction of charges or to any other improvement of postal relations. The Administration of Great Britain, for instance, has concluded an arrangement of this kind with a certain number of British colonies, in terms of which the charge on letters from Great Britain for these colonies and vice versd is fixed at Id. per (See note " (15) Great Britain (a)" of page 10 of the Summary of Eegulations communicated by my circular of the sth September, 1899). If the New Zealand Administration desires to conclude an arrangement of this kind, either with Great Britain and the British colonies or with other countries of the Union, it will have to take measures necessary to this effect in the sense of section 2 of Article 21 before recited. I shall be much obliged if you will be good enough to let me know as early as possible what steps you think proper to take in connection with the present communication.

No. 40. The Agent-Geneeal for New Zealand to the Hon. the Peemier. (Telegram.) London, sth September, 1900. Penny postage: In reply to your telegram of 30th, 1,000,000 can be delivered early November, free on board, London. Cost, including overtime work £280, not including charges President Academy, who now preparing design. Immediate reply required.

No. 41. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 6th September, 1900. Canadian Government heartily congratulates New Zealand on adoption penny postage.

No. 42. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Agent-Geneeal for New Zealand, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th September, 1900. Penny postage : In reply to your telegram of fifth : Approved.

No. 43. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. Deab Sik, — Ottawa, 7th September, 1900. I have to acknowledge your telegram of the 27th ultimo, announcing that it is the intention of New Zealand to introduce universal penny postage on the Ist day of January, 1901, "as a befitting commemoration of the new century," and expressing your confidence that this Department will take reciprocal action. In reply, I desire to say that this Department will have great pleasure in establishing the penny rate with New Zealand on and from the date you mention. I have to thank you at the same time for the kind personal congratulation your message contains, and I need hardly say that I agree most fully with you that the liberal arrangements which the scattered possessions of Great Britain are making with one another do, in a very true sense, constitute " links of Empire." Congratulating you on the step which New Zealand has decided to take, and hoping that the results from every point of view may be wholly satisfactory, I remain, &c, W. Mulook, Postmaster-General. The Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 44. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Hobart, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. Sib, — General Post Office, Hobart, 7th September, 1900. I am directed by the Hon. the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, confirming your telegram of the 18ch idem, relative to the introduction in New Zealand of the universal penny postage on and from the Ist January next. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. H. V. Bayly, Secretary.

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