THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8737, 8 March 1894, Page 5

THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

m (PBJS3 ASSOCIATION MtLEOBAM.) WELLINGTON, March 7. At the Ptmtal Conference Mr Ward moved —"That the delegate* to this Conference, recognising the value of the decisions arrived at io reference to the joint postal telegraphic aervices and a periodical meeting of representatives from the Tarioue colonies, ihoald suggest to their respective Government* that eirailar advantages in reference to trade relations between the respective colonies ia the direction of reciprocity would eusae if similar Conferences could be arranged to deal with questions in counectioo with the intercolonial tariffs." Mr Wynne (Victoria) seconded the motion, which was carried without debate. Oα the motion of Mr Wynne, it woe decided that the conditions be settled by thie Confareuoe, opoa which fresh tenders foe the federal mail sarvice are to bo called. The Conference then adjourned till tomorrow. The Queensland Government wrote adTocating the adoption of the Hoar Zone system as the one most suited to thwe colonies. The letter waa ordered to be printed. Mr Ward moved—" That considering tho important interests involved, both of a national and commercial character, in tho establishment of a Pacific cable, the representative* of the respective colonies assembled at this Conference recommend their Governments to consider tho desirability of entering into a guarantee with the other countries interested for a period not exceeding fourteen years, and to guarantee the interest at 4 per cent, on th» capital of not more than £1,800,000 to any ■ Company undertaking tho laying of a Pauitic cable, the tariff not to exceed 3s pec word for ordinary telegrams, 2a & word foi Government telegrams, and la 6d a word for Press telegrams to and from Great Britain aud the colonies, and that tho United Kingdom bo. asked to join in the guarantee. The routes of the cable to bo either of tho following:—Brisbane to Ahiparaßay, New Zealand, Ahipara Bay to Suva, Suva to Apia, Apia to Fanning Island, Fanning Islaud to the Sandwich Inlands, tiience to Vancouver ; of from New Zealand by the vino route to Vanoouver* 1 * Mr Ward said the delegates present were thoroughly conversant with the position ia connection with tho cable question. He recognised it as a very important mutter. It was one which had considerable influence for good on the commercial and national affairs of the whole of the countries concerned. It would be an important link between the colonies and Canada and tho Pacific islands. Tho rate of interest (4 per cent.) would amount to a guarantee of £72,000 for a period not exceeding fourteen years. Tuat amount, devised on a basis of population, would represent a very moderate sum so far as the colonies were concerned. Cauada and England would have to bear the greater portion of tho guarantee. The system of guarantee only would be adopted. It was ujc to be expected that South A us- , tralia and West Australia, from their position aud circumstances, would come into this guarantee, and this was recognised. He had. only to add that this cable with tho except tion of Samoa, which was a neutral State, and differed from other places under foreign nations, wuld pass through British territory. The routes indicated rendored it : possible for the Eautern Extension Cable Company to tender and utilise the present cable laid to New Zealand. On the other hand, the proposal was one which vu open Ito tho world to compete for. After moving I the motion, he proposed to aak tho Conference to allow it to be printed and circulated in order that it might come up for final consideration next day. Mr J. Kidd (New South Wales) seconded the motion, and a'so that the debate be adjourned until next day. The motion was adjourned accordingly. In moving the Federal Mail Service contract, Mr Wynne (Victoria) said he thought this was the proper time to consider the terms of the new mail contract. There were two ways of dealing with the carriage of mails, either by a poundage rate or by a subsidy. Although a large part of commercial business waa done by cable communication, he considered it advisable to con* tinue the mail service on the present lines. He suggested that tenders be called for a five years , service between the Mother Country and the colonies, and that tenders should state the time proposed to be taken in carrying the mails, and aiso what freezing space could be supplied, and the rates to be charged for produce ; or they coujd call for alternative tenders for the carriage of mails and the carriage of frozen products. Since his visit to New Zealand he was inolined to think matters might be arranged without any subsidy being required for che carriage of frozen meat, butter, 40., to the Mother Country. Hβ had noticed that in New Zealand Urge eteamera like the Gothio went from port to port collecting frozen carcases, 4c, without any subsidy, aud it they called for tenders in the way he suggested they would know what price would be charged for carrying mails aud what for carriage ot produce. It might be considered necessary to have larger steamers with greater carrying capacity than had hitherto been used, but with less speed. One year acd ten months had yet to expire before the present contraote terminated, and that would allow the various Governments ample time to consider the terms of the new contract. At present the Companies coutraoted to carry letters only, fie thought the parcels post should bo included in the conditions, and be covered by a subsidy. As a report of permanent heads had not been compiled he would not go into details, but simply suggest) that) tenderll be called for, say, a period of five years. Dr. Cockburn (South Australia) seconded, the motion, which was carried. ' Dr. Cockburn moved—"That the question of the number of newspapers required to be contained in bulk parcels be con* ttideredand reported upon by a Committed of permanent heads." The motion was carried, and the Con* ference adjourned to enable the permanent heads to proceed with their reports.The Conference to-morrow will adjourn to Auckland, where the business will be concluded before the delegates leave for Sydney. On Friday morning the party will leave for Watganui, going up the river to Pipiriki by steamer next day, and thenoe eight miles further either on Saturday afternoon or on Sunday morning by canoe* On returning they will go from Pipiriki to Kerioi by coach on Sunday, and to Tokoanu on Monday, proceeding thence by steamer across the Lake. From Taupo they go on to Rotorua, lunching at Waireka en route, and after two days at RotOfua reach Auckland by train on Saturday week. The work of the Conference having been finished there, the visitors will leave on the following Tuesday for Sydney*