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2

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. The Undee-Secretaey of State for the Colonies to the Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. Sir,— Downing Street, 7th July, 1910. With reference to your letter of ihe 30th June, 1904 [not printed], I am directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir Edward Grey, the accompanying copy of a despatch [No. 63, Al, 1910] from the Governor of New Zealand relative to the rates of postage between New Zealand and French Oceania, together with copy of a letter from the General Post Office on the subject. 2. Lord Crewe would be glad, provided Sir E. Grey sees no objection, if steps could be taken to ascertain the views of the French Government on the proposal submitted by the New Zealand Government. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. C. P. Lucas.

No. 2. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th December, 1910. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, papers on the subject of the proposed reduction of postal rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. I have, &c, The Officer administering the Government of Now Zealand. L. Harcourt. Enclosure in No. 2. His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris to the Right Hon. tin , Secretary of State for Foreign A I'FA IRS. Sir,— Paris, 30th November, 1910. With reference to my despatch of the 2nd instant [not printed], I have the honour to inform you that I have received a note from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs to the effect that the French Government are awaiting a reply from the Governor of French Oceania relative to the question of the proposed reduction of postal rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. When the reply is received the French Government will further consider the question. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., &c. Francis Bertie. No. 3. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, 9th December, 1910. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that this Administration will be prepared, from a date next year which has not yet been finally decided upon, but which it is anticipated will not be later than Ist May, to send letters to your country at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. The Post-master-General will be glad to learn that your Administration concurs in this arrangement, and that you will be prepared to issue the necessary instructions in the matter to the officers under your control. I have, &c, Justinian Oxenham, Acting-Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. * [P.O. 10/981(5).] No. 4. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the A< tine-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 4th January, 1911. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 9th ultimo, and to say that the PostmasterGeneral has pleasure in agreeing to the acceptance in Nev, Zealand of letters from your country prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. [P.O. 10/981(5).]

Enclosure in No. 2. His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Foreign A FFAIBS. Sir,— Paris, 30th November, 1910. With reference to my despatch of the 2nd instant [not printed], I have the honour to inform you that I have received a note from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs to the effect that the French Government are awaiting a reply from the Governor of French Oceania relative to the question of the proposed reduction of postal rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. When the reply is received the French Government will further consider the question. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., toe. Francis Bertie.

No. 3. The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, 9th December, 1910. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that this Administration will be prepared, from a date next year which has not yet been finally decided upon, but which it is anticipated will not be later than Ist May, to send letters to your country at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. The Post-master-General will be glad to learn that your Administration concurs in this arrangement, and that you will be prepared to issue the necessary instructions in the matter to the officers under your control. I have, &c, Justinian Oxenham, Acting-Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington. [P.O. 10/981(5).]

No. 4. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Actixg-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 4th January, 1911. I have the honour to refei to your letter of the 9th ultimo, and to say that the PostmasterGeneral has pleasure in agreeing to the acceptance in New Zealand of letters from your country prepaid at the rate of Id. per half-ounce. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary, The Acting-Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. [P.O. 10/981(5).]