BRITAIN AND THE COLONIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 43, 19 February 1894, Page 3

BRITAIN AND THE COLONIES.

MR REID'S MISSION.

PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME,

London, February 17. Mr Rkid, the Victorian delegabe, dined ab the House of Commons, to-nighb, as bhe guesb of Mr Arnold Morley, PostmasterGeneral, and Mr Campbell Bannerman, Secrebary for War. He pressed on Mr Morley bhe necesaity of Great Britain subsidising the Pacific mail steamers, and urged bhab bhe Imperial Government should guarantee half of the interest on the coat of • the construction of the Pacific cable, Aus- : tralia and Canada bo bear bbc other half. j He dwelt especially on tho value of purely English lines in the event of war, and pointed oub bhab the completion of a fasb i Atlantic mail service mighb render possible i a service alternating with the Suez route, i Mr Morley replied, sympabhising wibh bhe remarks of Mr Reid, and implied bhab the Suez service would be renewed for shorb periods only. Mr Reid explained thab Australia desires bo be enabled-to enter on differential trade relations with Canada and bhe Capo Colony, and he thought the poinb mighb be conceded, withoub impairing British relabions with Foreign Powers. Sir Charles Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada, is cordially acbing with Mr Reid, who sbill entertains the hope that Mr Cccil1 Rhodes, Premier of tha Cape Colony, will viaib England before he leaves. Mr Morley said England desired to avoid foreign complications, otherwise be was anxious to assist the colonies. Mr Reid pressed upon Mr CampbellBannerman bhe question of frozen meab being taken for bhe Indian army, and urged bhat freezing stores should be erecbed in Calcutta, similar to those in Malta. He also discussed the question of Australian defence with the Secretary for War. Mr Bannerman expressed himaelf favourably disposed towards the suggestions of Mr Reid for frozen meat for India. Sydney, this day. Mr John Kidd, Posbmasber - General, ebabes tie is nob opposed to tho proposed Pacific cable, bub he cannot support Mr Sandford Fleming's schemes, which he con* etdorsare impracticable. Any practical idea, be says, will have his warmest support and assistance. Referring to Mr McKenzie Barwoll'a statement tbab a conference to consider the Pacific cable question would be held in June, he says bhe Government { know nothing about it. Ib was, however, understood bhab a conference would bo convened for the sole purpose of discussing matters relative to the Pacific cable and Vancouver mail subsidy. He does nob think tho Government aro likely to agree bo combine bhe question of general brade with bhe polibics which are now sought bo be introduced at tho conference.