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Enclosure 2 in No. 21. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, S.W., Sir,— 4th January, 1904. I am instructed by the Agent-General to direct your kind attention to my letter of the 7th ultimo, relating to the rates of postage for newspapers, and to request the favour of your causing an early reply to be sent to the proposal contained therein. I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, E.C. Walter Kennawav.

Enclosure 3 in No. 21. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir,— General Post Office, E.C, 11th January, 1904. With reference to your letter of the 7th December, proposing on behalf of the AgentGeneral for New Zealand that the Postmaster-General should accept and deliver in the United Kingdom newspapers posted in New Zealand at a postage-rate of Id. for each newspaper, irrespective of weight, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acquaint you, for the information of the Agent-General, that the subject is being carefully considered in consultation with the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury, and that a further reply will be sent you. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G, H. Buxton Forman.

Enclosure 4 in No. 21. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, S.W., Sir, — 15th January, 1904. I am directed by the Agent-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, and in reference thereto to state that he trusts that as little delay as possible will take place in arriving at a decision in respect to his Government's proposal as conveyed to you in my letter of the 7th December last. The Agent-General would point out that so far back as August last it was intimated to him through the Colonial Office that the Postmaster-General had agreed to a similar proposal made by the Government of Canada, and that he was prepared to receive like proposals from other colonies. The Agent-General therefore ventures to express surprise at the delay which is now taking place as regards the proposal made by his own Government. I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, E.C. Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 5 in No. 21. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Secretary to the Agent-General. Sib,— General Post Office, E.C, 19th January, 1904. With reference to your letter of the 15th instant, I am directed by the PostmasterGeneral to assure you, for the information of the Agent-General for New Zealand, that when the result of his communication with the Treasury on the subject of the postage on newspapers sent from New Zealand to the United Kingdom is known you shall be communicated with. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G. H. Buxton Forman.

No. 22. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 9th February, 1904. Postmaster-General will deliver in the United Kingdom without surcharge newspapers sent by post from New Zealand at a postal rate of one penny per newspaper, irrespective of weight. Postmaster-General wishes to know on what date the arrangement should come into force; also states that it is very desirable that New Zealand post-offices make clear such newspapers have been posted in New Zealand and postage prepaid in the colony.

No. 23. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th February, 1904. Gratified Imperial Post Office now agrees deliver in United Kingdom newspapers prepaid one penny posted in New Zealand. Inform Postmaster-General propose commence first March prox,