POSTAL CONFERENCE,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8508, 7 March 1891, Page 5

POSTAL CONFERENCE,

the cable agreement.

fEW ZEALAND STANDS OUT.

international POSTAGE.

j.(ti Association.— Telegraph.—Copyright. Sydney, March 6. the Postal Conference to-day it was anjounced that the New Zealand and Queensand Governments would stand out of the pastern Extension Cable agreement. The Hon. Mr. Ward explained that his Jovernmenthad finally made up their mind hat the advantages proposed were not of iufficienb benefit to the colony to induce ,hem to incur so great an expenditure. The delegates of those colonies who have ■ntered into the agreement, commented on 'he action of the New Zealand Government, describing it as unfriendly in view of the federation now under discussion. Ml Ward, replying, thought the allusion to federation unwise, as the Postal Conference should not attempt to create bostie feelings on this question while it ivus inder debate in another Conference. M). J. G. Duffy, Postmaster-General of Victiria, moved, "That the intercolonial postige be reduced to Id." M\ Ward (New Zealand) seconded the moton pro forma. In doing so he stated that his Government contemplated next pesson establishing a penny postage within Isev Zealand, which meant a reduction in the revenue of £30,000 per annum. He favmred a reduction in the intercolonial pottage, but he pointed out that they must inske reforms by degrees, therefore until a reaction in his own colony had been esbiblisied he could not support the proposal of tie Postmaster-General of Victoria. The motion was adjourned. A motion was carried dealing with letters plating to sweeps in a uniform manner. The committee appointed to inquire into tie cable question recommended that the tvo colonies, New Zealand and Queensland, vliich stand out of the agreement, should le required to pay the present rates sublet to the consent of the Cable Company, vho have been communicated with.