F.—3.

No. 76. The Hob, the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Brisbane. (Telegram.) . Wellington, 28th December, 1900 ; ■ In view consummation Australian Federation beginning new year, I earnestly hope you nray.see your way to agree to accept our penny letters until Federal Government determines whether there shall be Australian penny postage, embracing New Zealand. I may mention that very many of our colonists desire to commemorate your federation by writing their friends in Australia by medium of penny post. To preclude this would cause widespread disappointment, and probably the fact would be looked upon as anti-federal in spirit, which at this juncture should be avoided. I myself purpose forwarding a brief congratulatory message on advent new century and penny post to Governor-General, Governors, Ministers, principal officials, and newspapers, and number of commercial and business-men in Australia. These will be prepaid a penny only, and it would be very unfortunate, and would discount real object of missive, if the letters have to be enclosed in franked official covers, to avoid surcharge. May I hope for favourable response to my request, which is already indorsed by our Cabinet. [The above also sent to the Hons. the Postmasters-General, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, and the Hons. the Ministers in charge of Post Offices, Adelaide and Perth.]

No. 77. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General., of Victoria, at Sydney. (Telegram.) ■ Wellington, 29th December, 19C0. I sent you telegram yesterday addressed Melbourne, expressing hope that you and other Post-masters-General would see their way to accept our penny letters from first January pending decision Federal Government to introduce penny postage embracing New Zealand. If you have not received telegram Mr. Crick will probably supply you with copy.

No. 78. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Hobart, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Hobart, 29th December, 1900. Eegeet to be unable to meet your wish re penny postage. Eecent Postal Conference recommended that the question be left for Commonwealth Government to decide. It is one on which the whole of the States should act as one, pending the transfer of Post Offices to Federal Govern■ment. Were it only a Tasmanian question we might have met you, but as it is really a Commonwealth question we do not wish to act independently.

No. 79. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Perth, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Perth, 29th December, 1900. Eegeet cannot entertain your proposal re penny postage.

No. 80. The Hon. the Postmaster-General of Victoria, at Sydney, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 31st December, 1900. Penny post: Have conferred with Mr. Crick, and regret that we cannot now disturb the previous decision, but in the event of any letters having been posted in New Zealand in expectation of coming through for a penny these will be delivered. You will therefore notify your public that postage to Australia will be twopence. We have informed other colonies in foregoing terms, but all those Administrations heard from so far are in favour of Conference recommendations being adopted.

No. 81. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Postmasters. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st December, 1900. All post-offices supplied with the new universal penny stamp are to open to the public to-morrow from 9to 10 a.m. for the sale of the stamps. In no case are the stamps to be sold in quantities, or for collectors' or for any other purposes, except for prepaying letters intended to be posted to-morrow so as to bear the date-stamp of the Ist January. :..' /

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