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No. 117. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th September, 1910. In reference your cable 15th ultimo, regret you are unable to support extension Vancouver mailservice New Zealand because of preferential treaty between Canada and New Zealand. Can you not get over the difficulty by entering into similar preferential treaty with Canada? I do not think, as far as New Zealand is concerned, that we can allow the question of mail-service to be governed by trade tariff arrangements, as, though anxious to join in the steamer mail-service, I regard the encouragement and development of trade between British dominions as of such importance as to prevent agreeing to the abolishing of the preferential treaty with Canada. [Vane. Misc. 10/180(a).] i

No. 118. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 17th September, 1910. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant conveying the following resolution passed at the annual meeting of members of your Chamber [No. 116]. The Postmaster-General desires me to say that the advantages of a mail-service via Vancouver will continue to receive his earnest attention. I have, &c., D. Robertson, Secretary. The Secretly, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch. LVanc. Misc. 10/181.] __^^_^^^__^^^^^^

No. 119. [News extract, 6th October, 1910.] Vancouver Service: Australia's Intentions. (Telegram ) Melbourne, sth October, 1910. In the House of Representatives the Postmaster-General (Hon. J. Thomas) stated that the Government had decided not make any alteration at present in the Vancouver mail contract. When the new contract was before the Government consideration would be given to the inclusion of NewZealand in the service. [H. 1., Vol. 4, p. 80.]

No. 120. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister of Canada to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 13th January, 1911. Have informed Sir James Mills that Canada will close contract with him for five years, Honolulu, Suva, Auckland, for the present contribution by Canada plus Fiji and New Zealand contribution. Canada will reserve right to require contractor to proceed to Sydney or Melbourne, or both. [Vane. Misc. 11/6.]

No. 121. 'Ihe Right Hon. the Primb Ministbk, Wellington, to Sir James Mills, on board " Ulimaroa." (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th January, 1911. Glad to hear that Canada agrees New Zealand's proposal for inclusion of Auckland in Canadian mail-service. [Vane. Misc. 11/5.]

No. 122. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister of Canada. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th January, 1911. Many thanks. Sorry Commonwealth of Australia stands out. New Zealand exceedingly pleased to co-operate with Dominion of Canada. [Vane. Misc. 11/6.] .^—

No. 123. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Wellington, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister of Canada, Ottawa. g IR Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 19th January, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 13th instant, advising me that you had informed Sir James Mills that Canada would close the contract with the Union Steam Ship Company for five years between Vancouver, Honolulu, Suva, and Auckland