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13th instant) from his Government stating that prior to the receipt of the Agent-General's telegram of the 6th June they had adopted the proposals of Canada as regards the newspaper-postage. I am to add that his Government express the hope that the Imperial Post Office will reduce the postage as proposed. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 4 in No. 13. The Assistant Undbr-Secbetart of State for the Colonies to the Agent-General. Sir,-- Colonial Office, S.W., 18th August, 1903. With reference to the letters from this Department of the sth June and the 21st ultimo, with regard to the consideration of the proposal of the Government of Canada for reducing the postage on newspapers between that colony and New Zealand, 1 am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to inform you that a letter has now been received from the General Post Office reporting that the Postmaster-General has, after careful consideration, been forced to the conclusion that he would not be justified in recommending the adoption of lower rates than at present exist for newspapers and other printed matter sent from this country to the colonies, not only on account of the wholly unremunerative character of such rates, but also because the proposed reductions would almost inevitably involve a corresponding reduction of the internal rates of the United Kingdom, and further heavy loss. In the case of Canada the Postmaster-General has agreed to accept newspapers and other periodicals from Canada for delivery in the United Kingdom prepaid only at the Canadian domestic rates of postage and similar proposals from other colonies would receive full consideration. The Postmaster-General is consequently not able to adopt the suggestion of the Government of New Zealand that the postage on newspapers to and from New Zealand should be reduced to Id. each paper, irrespective of weight, and Mr. Chamberlain regrets that it has not been possible to meet the wishes of the New Zealand Government in this matter. I am, <fee, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Bertram Cox. P.S. —Since this letter was prepared your letter of the 17th instant has been received, and will be communicated to the Postmaster-General.

No. 14. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Ministee. (Telegram.) London, 22nd August, 1903. Imperial Government cannot agree reduction of newspaper-postage as proposed in your telegram of Bth of May. In case of Canada, His Majesty's Government agrees to accept newspapers and other periodicals from that colony prepaid at only Canadian domestic postal rate, and full consideration will be given to similar proposals from other colonial Governments.

No. 15. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, Bth October, 1903. Presume you will raise no objection to accepting Christmas numbers New Zealand weekly papers at newspaper-rates. Some of them may not comply strictly with newspaper conditions; but we are passing at newspaper-rates, inland transmission. Will reciprocate as regards Christmas numbers Australian weeklies.

No. 16. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 9th October, 1903. Usual latitude be allowed Christmas numbers newspapers. No difficulty apprehended, unless some glaring infringement.

No. 17. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 23rd October, 1903. Referring to my telegram of 22nd August, have you arranged that newspapers and other periodicals will be sent Home at only New Zealand domestic postal rates? If not, shall I make proposal as suggested 1