¥.— 6.

50

THE PROPOSED ALL-RED ROUTE.

No. 143. The High Commissioner to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Sir, — Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London SIW., 7th August, 1912. I have the honour to enclose copies of four letters I have received from the British Imperial Council of Commerce containing resolutions on the subjects mentioned hereunder adopted by the Eighth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, held in June last, for communication to yourself and the Postal Department of the Dominion : — ****** 2. For communication to Postal Department, on all-red mail-route connecting Great Britain with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. ****** A copy of the official report of the proceedings, containing the discussions referred to in the letters, is also attached [not printed]. I have, &c, C. F. W. Pallisbr, The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. For the High Commissioner. [P.O. 12/3729.]

Enclosure in No. 143. The Secretary, British Imperial Council of Commerce, London, to the High Commissioner, London. The London Chamber of Commerce, Oxford Court, Cannon Street, Sir,— London E.C., 31st July, 1912. I have the honour to request you to kindly communicate to the Postal Department of New Zealand the terms of a resolution on the subject of an all-red mail-route adopted by the Eighth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire held in London in June of the present year. The resolution is as follows : " That this Congress urges upon the Imperial and Dominion Governments the desirability of establishing an all-red mail-route connecting Great Britain with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand." I would refer you in this connection to the actual discussion upon this subject, which you will find in the accompanying official report of the proceedings [not printed], I have, &c, Charles E. Musgrave, Secretary. The High Commissioner for the Dominion of, New Zealand, 13 Victoria Street S.W.

No. 144. [Newspaper extract, 3rd May, 1913.] Sir Wilfrid Laueier referred to the all-red steamship scheme, and hoped that the Borden Government would carry it out. There should be direct lines of communication from Vancouver to Australia and New Zealand, and such were absolutely necessary. The Hon. J. Allen concurred with Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the necessity for such a steamship service. [H.I. Vol. 8, p. 336.]