POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9019, 4 February 1895, Page 5

POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Press Association.—By Telegraph.—Copyright.

HOBART, February 2. At. the Postal Conference the Hod. J. G. Ward brought up the question of the Pacific mail service, and he said ifc was not worth while for New Zealand to come into a tranahippiDg service from Fiji; but if the Vancouver steamer a called at New Zealand the Government would be prepared to considerably increase the subsidy indicated at the Postal Conference last year. He suggested that the Conference should increase their contribution in order to ensura the establishment of a fast service of liuo steamers, as such a resulb would compel the San Francisco mail contractors, in the ordinary course of business, to very materially improve their steamers. He moved—" That this Conference urges the establishment of a fourweekly service to Vancouver alternately with the San Francisco service, the steamers calling at ono of the principal ports of New Zealand ; and that the respective Governments ba urged to take the matter up actively. ,. The Hon. A. J. Thynne, Queensland, seconded the motion. The Hon. J. Cook, New South Wales, said looking at the Vancouver service from a mail point of view, it was nob worth considering, but the colonies might come into the service by paying a subsidy similar to that of New youth Wales, in order to promote the commercial aspect. He considered New South Wales was already paying sufficient towards developing the trade. The Hon. P. O. Fyah, Tasmania, said that until developments of trade took place which would identify the service with Tasmania it was out of the question to ask his Parliament for a subsidy. He himself had arrived at the conclusion that the time i for a subsidy was passing away. j The Hon. Dr. Cockbum, South Australia, hardly thought the delegates, or even the Parliaments of the respective colonies, could commit themselves to a subsidy without having something definite about the scheme. So far as South Australia vras concerned, he wanted to see every possible trade connection with the old world and America. If Mr Ward's motion meant that the Governments were bound to seek a subsidy he must vote against it. The Hon. J. G. Duffy, Victoria, said if Mr Ward wanted sympathy he could have it, but if cash was wanted, then so far as Victoria was concerned, he could not get it. In reply, Mr Ward said he would amend the motion by oraibtiug the words, " that the Governments be urged to take the matter up actively. He hoped that in future negotiations between New South Wales and New Zealand with regard to this service, Mr Cook's estimate of its value as a commercial rather thau a mail service, would not be overlooked, also that the question of two or three days' additional time required to allow vessels to call at New Zealand would not be regarded as detrimental to the establishment of the service.

The Conference merely reaffirmed on the voices the decision of the Conference in Wellington last year in favour of a service with one of the main poets in New Zealand aa a port of call. The Hon. A. G. Thynne moved resolutions regarding the Pacific cable. In a lengthy speech he went into the history of the movement as placed before the Ottawa Conference. The question, he thought, was a practical one, in which, every part of Australasia shared; but 'the greatest difficulty lay in local interests overshadowing general benefits. He hoped that the Conference would sot an example by taking united action. In reviewing the financial phase of the matter, he said it would be much better for the cable to be constructed on the lines of the resolutions passed at the previous Conference than by subsidising or guaranteeing a private Company. To his mind the time had come wheu the Australasian colonies should be relieved of the weighty burden imposed by the heavy cable charges. The Hon. J. G. Ward seconded the motion pro forma ; but said he was unable

to support the resolutions, as he was of opinion that Great Britain had not done all she should have done in the matter. If ever the Conference was to arrive at .finality it ought to have from Great Britain and Canada some practical evidence that they should share in the guarantee of the capital required. The lack of sympathy on the part of the Mother Country appeared to him to show that the Australian colonies were expected to do more than they were fairly called upon to do. He had heard a suggestion that New Zealand was to be thrown overboard by the other colonies bo far as the present low rates were concerned, bub he could assure the Conference that if his colony wore left in the cold they were pre pared to hit out for themselves, and at the same time do a great deal more than it had already been suggested that New Zealand should do in the direction of securing a Paciiio cable. The people of Now Zealand were not going to be handicapped in the matter, but in the meantime were prepared to stand in with the other colonies, and give a share of the guarantee. He hoped that New Zealand wouli be treated fairly in this question, as the colony approached it from an entirely unselfish standpoint. His colony had no desire to make any condition about where the cable should touch as long as New Zealand was placed on equal terms with the other colonies in regard to the use of the cable. Hβ himself had a great desiro to see a cable established across the Pacific. He impressed on the Conference that such a cable, with attendant low rates, meant the opening of new markets for produce, and would give an impetus to colonial trade generally. ' The idea of the cable passing through British territory and bringing it into touch with important Patifio Islands was a great work for national, strategical, political and commercial uses which could not be over-estimated.

The Hon. J. Cook thought the matter too nebulous, and 'said it was not each & fine opening as some appeared to think. Business companies displayed no alacrity in their desire to construct a cable. Trne, Siemens had demonstrated at the Canadian Conference the practicability of the route, but showed no wish to take the risk beyond tendering at a high price. To his mind the idea at the Canadian Conference was that the cable was required for strategic rather than for business purposes. He moved ah amendment merely re-affirm-ing the motion passed at the last Conference, of the desirability of the construction o£ the cable. . "

The Hon. J. G, Daffy did not think the cable would be a commercial success. The chary manner in which Companies tendered proved this, though from a business aspect there was no doubt it would improve in time. From the view of encouraging an Imperial sentiment and in the event of war, it would be a grand work, bat when undertaken it should be by all interested, not by a portion. He objected to the animadversions by Mr Ward relative to Canada, as the cable was really more an -Australasian concern than for the Dominion, which was already connected with the very heart of the Empire by many sources. If the present Cable Company tried to squeeze the orange too dry. circumstances would then make the Pacific cable a successful business scheme. The Hon. A. G. Thynne announced that be had received a cable from the Premier of Canada that important letters on the subject were on their way, and suggesting the appointment of a joint commission to arrange for the construction of the cable as a State work. It also urged him to bring the matter before the various Governments. Mr Thynne withdrew bis motion in favour of Mr Cook's amendment, which was carried. . The question of the cable "guarantee was introduced by Mr Duffy, who briefly announced the intention oi .Victoria to withdraw from it. Mr \ * trd (New Zealand) moved—*' That the Conference, respectfully request Victoria to reconsider her decision." He was disposed to think that there was a certain amount of .misapprehension about* the guarantee. ' Figures showed' that but for the increase of messages to and ■ from New Zealand the other colonies would have bad to provide £19)730. Therefore, assuming that the other colonies say.they are sot going to support an intercolonial guarantee. New Zealand might turn- round and say she would not support the national guarantee, the result being a raising of «tbe rates unless the other colonies were prepared to make up the difference' caused by ftew Zealand'* withdrawal. Qftere had,

been a remarkable increase in the nnmber of messages transmitted since the reduced rates were in operation, despite the depression. Last year the amount of the gua. ran tee paid by the colonies was over £6000, while this year the sum estimated was about £7500. Even iu tho case of a depressed colony, the amount was eo small that it was not sufficient to warrant a withdrawal which would cause great harm, disorganise business, and indirectly reflect oc the commerce of the country. With a monopoly like the Eastern Extonsion Company, which was still prepared to halve the losses, he thought tho position offered by the Company a fair one and the colonies should meet them half-way. Referring to the New South Wales guarantee, he trusted the Conference would look at th« matter in a broad senso and suggested whether it was advisable to place a barrier on trade by increasing the rates. He opposed any increase in the guarantee and would rather see an extra 5d added to the international cables charged to all the colonies. It was to be regretted if Victoria, which had done so much in the past, was now to withdraw.

Dr. Cockburn seconded the motion and said he quite rccoguisfid it was not a genial task Victoria had set herself in withdrawing, aa it really meant that the whole public of Australia would suffer.

Mr Cook admitted that before coming to tbe Conference he was inclined to practically sympathise with Victoria, but he now looked on the guarantee in a more favour* able light. He congratulated Mr Ward on his astuteness in having struck a good bargain over the Now Zealand cabie, which the speaker thought had not) been particularly beneficial to the other colonies. He considered that some arrangement as to payments was desirable. New Zealand and South Australia were still paying on the population of 1889 basis. He thought they might pay more, and that a powerful Company like tbe Eastern Extension might also moderate its demands in such depressed times. He advised waiting to see if the increased development would continue. Mr Duffy thanked Mr Ward for his kindly references, and declared he had only moved in the matter with great reluctance and regret. Looking into the question he found that the brunt of all these schemes had to be borne by Victoria and New South Wales. He was not prepared to say that the figures quoted, and the arguments of Mr Cook had not had some effeot on him, j but hs would suggest to Mr Ward to withdraw the motion, and in Committee a meet* ing might be arranged with Mr Warren, the representative of the Eastern Extension Company, who was present, to see if fair terms could not be negotiated. Mr Ward agreed to the suggestion. On the Conference resuming, Mr Ward moved—" That the colonies agree to guarantee an international revenue to the Eastern Extension to £227,000 per annum, making up any deficiency or Toss below that amount, provided it does not exceed £10,000, and guarantee the revenue of the New Zealand cable to £20,000, making up the loss if it does not exceed £9000, provided that the rates are not higher than at present, such to continue lor a year, but terminable by two months' notice." This meant a considerable reduotion. in the subsidies to the Eastern Extension Company, and largely reduced New Zealand's contribution. The existing agreement guaranteed the international revenue to £237,000 and the New Zealand cable to £26,000, while under tbe proposal there would be reductions of £10,000 and £6000 respectively yearly. Hβ considered this the best arrangement yet entered into by the colonies and meant something like finality in the matter of rates.

Mr Cook seconded the motion, which was carried.

All the colonies have agreed to maintain |ho existing rates for all classes of cables; under the reduced guarantee to the Eastern Extension Company. ~Thie, of course, is subject to the Company's acceptance of Mr Ward's motion carried at th« Postal Conference.

February 3. ' The Postal Conference decided to refer the question of the compulsory use of a universal telegraph code to the heads of departments. The Conference eat till 10.30 last night in order to let Mr Ward away. MrFysh will now represent. New Zealand. The latter took occasion to refer in eulogistic terma to the business like manner in which Mr Ward conducted matters in which he took an interest.