POSTAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9735, 4 February 1895, Page 5

POSTAL CONFERENCE.

THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

THE PACIFIC CABLE.

THE VIEWS OP THE VARIOUS

COLONIES.

THE CABLE GUARANTEE.

A NEW ARRANGEMENT.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Houart, February 2. At the Postal Conference Mr. Ward brought up the question of the Pacific Mail

Service, and said it was not worth while for New Zealand to come Into a transhipping service from Fiji, but if the Vancouver steamers called at New Zealand, the Government would be prepared to consider the increased subsidy indicated at the Postal Conference last year. He suggested that the Conference should increase their contribution, in order to ensure the establishment of a fast service of fine steamers, as such a result would compel the 'Frisco mail contractors in the ordinary course of business to very materially improve their steamers. He moved that the Conference urges the establishment of a four-weekly service to Vancouver alternately with the 'Frisco service, calling at one of the principal ports in New Ze aland; that the respective Governments be urged to take the matter up actively. The Hon. Mr. Thynne (Queensland) seconded the motion. Mr. Cook (New South Wales) said looking at the Vanvouver service from a mail point of view, it was not worth considering, but the colonies might come into the service by paying a subsidy similar to New South Wales, in order to promote the commercial aspect. He considered New South Wales was already paying sufficient towards the development of trade. Mr. Fysh (Tasmania) said until a development of trade took place, which would identify the service with Tasmania, ib was out of the question to ask his Parliament

for a subsidy. He himself bad arrived at the conclusion that the time for a subsidy was passing away.

Dr. Cockburn (South Australia) hardly thought the delegates, or even the Parliaments, of the respective colonies could commit themselves to a subsidy without havine something definite about the scheme. So far as South Australia was concerned, he wanted to see overy possible trade connection with the Old World and America. If Mr. Ward's motion meant that the Governments were bound to seek a subsidy, be must vote against it. Mr. 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 his motion by omitting the words " that the Governments be urged to take up the matter actively." He hoped that in future negotiations between New South Wales and New Zealand with regard to the service, Mr. Cook's estimate of its value as a commercial rather than a mail service would not be overlooked; also, that the question of the 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 re-affirmed on the voices the decision of the Conference in Wellington last year in favour of the service with one main port in New Zealand as a port of call.

Mr. Thynne (Queensland) moved a resolution regarding the Pacific Cable in a lengthy speech. Be went into the history of the movement as placed before the Ottawa Conforence. The question, he thought, was a practical one in which overy part of Australasia shared, but the greatest diffi culty lay in local interests overshadowing general benefits. He hoped that the Conference would set 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 resolution passed at the previous Conference than by subsidising, or the guaranteeing of a private company. To his mind the time had come when the Australasian colonies should be relieved of the weighty burden imposed by the heavy cable charges. Mr. J. G. Ward (New Zealand) seconded the motion pro forma. In doing so, he 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 arrives at finality it ought to have from Great Britain and Canada some practical evidence that they would share in the guarantee of the capital required. 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 the suggestion that New Zealand was bo be thrown overboard by the other colonies so far as the present low rates were concerned, bub he could assure the

Conference if his colony was left) in the cold they were prepared to hib out for themselves, and, at the samo time, do a great deal more than had already been suggested, that New Zealand should do in the direction of securing the Pacific cable. The people of New Zealand were not going to be handicapped in the matter, bub in the meantime they were prepared to stand in with the other colonies, and give a share of the guarantee. Ho hoped that New Zealand would be treated fairly in this question, as the colony approached ib from an entirely unselfish standpoint. His colony had no desire to make any condition about where the cable should touch, so long as New Zealand was placed on equal terms with the other colonies in regard to the use of the cable. He, himself, had a greab desire to see the cable established across the Pacific, and he impressed on the Conference that such a cable, with the attendant low rates, meant the opening of new markets for produce, and would give an impetus bo colonial trade generally. The idea of a cable passing through British territory, and bringing into touch importanb Pacific Islands, was a greab work for national Htrategetical, political, and commercial uses, which could not be over-estimated. Mr. Cook (New South Wales) thought the matter too nebulous, and said ib was not such a fine opening as some appeared to think. Business companies displayed no j alacrity in the desire to constructs the cable. I It was true Mr. Siemens hacl demonstrated at the Canadian Conference the practicability of the route, but he 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 an amendment reaffirming the motion of the last Conference of the desirability of the construction of the cable. Mr. Duffy (Victoria) did nob think the cable would be a commercial success, and the chary manner in which the companies tendered proved this; though from a business aspect there was no doubb ib would improve in time. From the view of encouraging the Imperial sentiment, and in the event of a war ib would be a grand work, bub when undertaken ib should be by all interested, and " nob by a portion. He objected to th« animadversions by Mr.

Ward relative to Canada, as the cable was really more an Australian 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 Pacifio Cable a successful business scheme. Mr. Thynne (Queensland) announcud that he 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 as a State-worked cable, and so urged him to bring the matter before the various Governments. Mr. Thynne withdrew his motion in favour of Mr. Cook's amendment, which was carried.

The question of the cable guarantee was introduced by Mr. Duffy (Victoria), and in doing so he briefly announced the intention of Victoria to withdraw from it.

Mr. Ward (New Zealand) moved, " That the Conference respectfully request Victoria to reconsider its decision." He was disposed to think that there was a certain amount of apprehension about the guarantee, and the figures showed that bub for the increase of messages to and from New Zealand, the other colonies would hav« had to provide £15,700. Therefore, assuming that the other colonies are not going to support the intercolonial guarantee, New Zealand might turn round and say she would not support a National guarantee, the result being the raising of rates, unless the other colonies were prepared to make up the difference caused by New Zealand's withdrawal. Ha said that there had been a remarkable increase in the number of messages transmitted since the reduced rates had been in operation, despite the depression. Last year the amount of guarantee paid by the colonies was over £6000, while this year the sum estimated was about £7500. Even in the case of a depressed colony the amount was so small that it was not sufficient to warranb withdrawal, which would cause great harm, disorganise business, and indirectly reflect on the commerce of the country. With a monopoly like the Eastern Extension Company, which was still prepared to halve the losses, he thought the position offered by the company fair, and the colonies should meet them half-way. Referring to the New South Wales and the New Zealand guarantee, he trusted the Conference would look at the matter in a broad sense, and asked 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 threepence added to international cables charged to all the colonies. It was to be regretted it Victoria, which had done so much in the past, was now to withdraw.

Dr. Cockburn (South Australia) seconded the motion, and said he quite recognised that ib was nob a genial task Victoria had set herself in withdrawing, as ib really meant that the whole public of Australia would suffer.

Mr. Cook (New South Wales) admitted that before coming to the Conference he was inclined to practically sympathise with Victoria, bub he now looked on the guarantee in a more favourable light. He congratulated Mr. Ward on his astuteness in having struck a good bargain over the New Zealand cable, which the speaker thought had nob been particularly beneficial to the other colonies. He considered thab some rearrangement 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 the Eastern Extension might also moderate its demands in such depressed times. He advised waiting to see if increased developments would continue.

Mr. Duffy (Victoria) thanked Mr. Ward for his kindly references, and declared that 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 some effect on him, bub he would suggest to Mr. Ward to withdraw his motion; and a meeting might be arranged with Mr. Warren, the representative of the Eastern Extension Company (who was present), and see if fair terms could not be arranged. Mr. Ward agreed to the suggestion. On the Conference resuming, Mr. Ward moved, That the colonies agree to guarantee international revenue to the Eastern Extension Company to £227,000 per annum, making up any deficiency or loss below that amount ; provided it does not exceed £10,000, and guarantee the revenue of the Sew Zealand cable to £20,000, making up the loss if ib does not exceed £9000; provided rates are not higher than at present; such bo continue from year to year, but terminable by two months' notice." In speaking to his motion, the New Zealand Postmaster- General intimated thab this meant a considerable reduction in subsidies to the Eastern Extension Company, and a largely reduced Now Zealand contribution. The existing agreement guaranteed international revenue to £237,000, and the New Zealand cable to £26,000, while under the proposal it would be a reduction of £10,000 and £6000 respectively yearly. He considered this the best arrangement yet entered into by the colonies, and meant something like finality in the matter of rates.

Mr. Cook (New South Wales) seconded the motion, which was carried.

All the colonies have agreed to maintain the existing rates for all classes of cables under the reduced guarantee to the Eastern Extension Company. This, of course, is subjecb to the company's acceptance of Mr. Ward's motion carried ab the Conference. Hobart, 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 sat till half-past ten last night in order to let Mr. Ward (New Zealand) away. Mr. Fysh (Tasmania) will now represent New Zealand. The latter took occasion to refer in eulogistic terms to the business-like manner in which Mr. Ward conducted matters in which he took an interest.