F.—3.

France is obliged to conform to the tariff of the Universal Postal Union, and finds it impossible just at present to conclude a restricted union with New Zealand with a view to the reduction of the letter tariff. Such a modification would, moreover, destroy the equity of the tariff between our two countries, and create in favour of senders from New Zealand privileged treatment to the extent of 60 per cent., which would not fail to call forth legitimate complaint on the part of French senders.

No. 95. The Dieectoe-Genbkal of Posts and Telbgeaphs, Bangkok, to the Hon. the Postmasteb - Geneeal, Wellington. Sic, — Post and Telegraph Department, Bangkok, 15th January, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd November last, referring to your proposal to extend the penny postage also to Siam. In reply, I regret not to be able to accede to your wish as regards correspondence from Siam to New Zealand. There is, however, no objection on my part that correspondence from New Zealand to Siam be prepaid with Id. only for every 15 grammes, instead of with as prescribed by the Washington Convention. The Siamese Post Offices have been instructed to treat such correspondence as fully prepaid. I have, &c, Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs. To the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 96. ■ The Seoeetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Count de Couete, Consul for France, Wellington. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, 16th January, 1901. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to forward the accompanying copies of letters addressed to the Director-General of Posts at Paris, in connection with the introduction of penny postage in this colony, and the application of the reduced rate to the Society Islands. I have, &c, The Count de Courte, Consul for France, Wellington. W. Geay, Secretary. [For enclosures see Nos. 66 and 74.]

No. 97. The Dieectoe-Geneeal of Posts, San Jose, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. Direccion General de Correos de la Eepiiblica de Costa Rica, San Jose, Monsieue le Dieeotbue Geneeal, — Janvier le 16, 1901. Me referant a votre lettre dv 23 Novembre, 1900, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que mon Administration nest pas autorisee pour faire la reduction dans la tarif dcs lettres mises a la poste, mais il ny a pas d'embarrass en accepter la reduction fait dans votre office, et pourtant mon Administration peut accepter et delivrer les lettres provenant de la Nouvelle-Zelande, afl'ranchies dun penny par 15 grammes, sans les graver d'aucune taxe. J'ai l'honneur, &c, M. J. Caeeanza. Monsieur le Directeur-General dcs Postes de la Nouvelle-Zelande, Wellington.

[Teanslation.] Eefeeeing to your letter of the 23rd November, 1900, I have the honour to inform you that my Administration is not authorised to make a reduction in the tariff of letters posted here, but has no objection to accept the reduction made in your office, and therefore my Administration will accept and deliver letters from New Zealand prepaid at Id. per half-ounce without subjecting them to any surcharge.

No. 98. The Deputy Postmasteb-Genebal, Sydney, to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 17th January, 1901. Oveb two hundred letters received by " Waihora " bearing penny postage only. Will be passed, but similar letters despatched from New Zealand after 20th instant will be surcharged.

No. 99. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Sydney. (Telegram.) • Wellington, 18th January, 1901. Thanks re letters by " Waihora." Instructions will be reissued and officers strictly warned to see that letters for Australia prepaid twopence. Postmaster-General's commemorative cards were prepaid at this rate.

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