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I would again urge for your consideration the great desirability of bringing to completion an arrangement which for so many years this Department has urged. The present seems a particularly opportune time for this, as I am now in negotiation with the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) to perform a service from San Francisco to New Zealand by way of Tahiti, the steamers to run the entire voyage without transhipment. I have, Ac, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Hon. Frank Hitchcock, Postmaster-General, Washington, D.C. [P.O. 09/28(9).]

No. 8. The Second Assistant Postmaster-General, Washington, to the Hon. the PostmastekGeneral, Wellington. Sik, — Post Office Department, Washington, 6th January, 1910. By direction of the Postmaster-General, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd October last, in which you urge upon this Department the adoption of the 2-cent rate of postage for letters despatched from the United States to New Zealand, so that the arrangement for the exchange of letters between our two countries may be bilateral. In reply, and with reference to previous correspondence on the subject, the PostmasterGeneral desires me to say that, while he appreciates the grounds of your request, he very much regrets that this Department is not at present in a position to concur in your proposal to reduce the letter-postage rate to New Zealand. It is particularly desirable at this time to take no action that will further reduce our postal revenues. :|: ■:: * * * * I have, &c, Joseph Stewart, Second Assistant Postmaster-General. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand. [['.0.09/28(91

No. 9. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th February, 1910. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the adoption of the Imperial penny-postage scheme, I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Ministers, that the- scheme has now been extended to the States recently transferred by Siam to the protection of His Majesty —namely, Kelantan, Kedab, Perlis, and Trengganu. The Imperial rate of postage was brought into operation in the case of letters from Kelantan on the Bth November, 1909 ; the States of Kedah and Perlis are adopting the scheme forthwith ; and the State of Trengganu will do so as soon as a Post-office is established there. Meanwhile, correspondence may be forwarded to its destination in Trengganu at the sender's risk. As regards the United Kingdom, the reduced rate of postage came into force on the Ist February. I have, etc., Ore we. Governor the Right Honourable Lord Plunket, K.G.M.G., X.C.V.0.. <fee. IP.O. 10/981(2)/

No. 10. The Eight Hon. the Prime Minister to the Consul for France, Auckland. Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 10th March, 1910. In 1901 I had the honour to address the Count de Courte on the subject of penny postage between New Zealand and the French settlements in Oceania. The matter was iv due course considered by the French Government, and after some correspondence a reply was received through the diplomatic channel that the Minister of the Colonies was unable to fall in with the proposals of this Government. Recently, as you are aware, New Zealand has established another mail-service to Tahiti, which with the former service gives twenty-two voyages each way per annum at a cost to the Dominion of £8,200. As I am very desirous of seeing penny post established throughout the Pacific, and as since the proposal was first made the rates of postage in France and between France and the French colonies have been materially reduced, it is thought that the objections which at the time could not be overcome may not now be considered to have the same weight. I am requesting His Excellency the Governor to reopen the matter through the usual diplomatic channel. In the meantime, as you have no doubt considered the effect of the close commercial relations which exist between New Zealand and Tahiti, and the liberal subsidies by this Dominion to steamers trading to French Oceania, I venture to think that you may be prepared to support the reopening of the proposal. Should this be the case, I should be obliged if you would bring the matter under notice of your Government. I have, &0., J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. Robt. Boeufv6, Esq., Consul for France, Auckland. ; p.O. 10/991 il).j