F.—:;.

Antrage auf Einfiihrung dcs Portos yon 1 penny fiir den Verkehr Neu-Seelands mit alien anderen Landern dcs Weltpostvereins dargelegt worden sind. Wenn in dem dortseitigen Schreiben auf die nahe geographische Lage der deutschen SamoaJnseln zu Neu-Seeland hingewiesen wird, so ist dem gegeniiber zu bemerken, doss allgemein fur den Verkehr der deutscben Besitzungen mit dem Auslande, und selbst fiir den Verkehr zwischen weit naher zu einander gelegenen iiberseeisclien Gebieten, als zwischen Samoa und Neu-Seeland der Fall ist, die Weltpostvereinstaxen gelten. Em besonderes Bediirfniss zu einer abweichenden Behandlung der Korrespondenz zwischen Neu-Seeland und Samoa kann diesseits nicht anerkannt werden. Jm Auftrage dcs Staatssekretars, General Post Office, Wellington. .

[Translation.] By a letter of the 18th October last, P.O. 01/43(57), the General Post Office proposed the conclusion of a special agreement for the introduction of the New Zealand inland postage for letter communication between New Zealand and Apia. The Imperial Post Office has the honour to reply that it regrets not being in a position to agree to the proposal, as similar objections aye opposed thereto as those mentioned in the letter of the 15th February, 1901, in respect to the proposal for introduction of penny postage between New Zealand and all other countries of the Universal Postal Union. In regard to the argument in the letter of the nearness of the geographical position of the Samoan Islands to New Zealand, it may be remarked that the Universal Postal Union postages are applied in all communications of German possessions with other countries, and even for such over-sea territories as are , much closer together than the distance between Samoa and New Zealand. The special need for a Convention for differential treatment of correspondence between New Zealand and Samoa is therefore not recognised at this end.

No. 175. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Acting Postmaster - General, Hongkong. Imperial Penny Postage. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th March, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, informing me that from the 15th idem the rate of postage applicable to letters passing between Hongkong and the United Kingdom and British colonies and possessions would also apply to the British postal agencies at Shanghai, Liv Kung Tau, Hankow, Ningpo, Fooehow, Amoy, Swatow, Canton, and Hoihow. I note that the letter rate of postage now chargeable at the agencies named is 4 cents per half-ounce. I have, &c, Thomas Eose, The Acting Postmaster-General, Hongkong. For Secretary.

No. 176. The Hon. the Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 23rd April, 1902. I accept your proposal for New Zealand halfpenny terminal rate Australian traffic Pacific cable, and agree to accept your letters prepaid penny rate, Government having agreed to accept such letters from all parts British Empire.

No. 177. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd April, 1902. Your cablegram in reference to the halfpenny terminal rate received. I heartily congratulate you upon the decision to admit letters at the penny rate from New Zealand and all parts of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a great postal movement in a forward direction, and will give universal satisfaction to all countries which are affected. The halfpenny terminal rates will be gazetted for the New Zealand terminal traffic at once. [Read here Nos. 124/S, F.-8, 1902, Telegraph Cables : Eeciprocal concession of Id. postage in Australia for |d. terminal cable-rate in New Zealand.]

No. 178. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th April, 1902. New Zealand letters prepaid penny rate now admitted Australian Commonwealth, and from other parts Empire.

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