POSTAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 992, 6 March 1891, Page 30

POSTAL CONFERENCE.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Sydney, February 26. The Postal Conference was opened today under the presidency of Mr O’Connor, Postmaster-General of New South Wales. After passing the resolution expressive of regret at the death of Mr Bews, who was to°bave represented South Australia, the Conference adjourned until to-morrow to await the arrival of the New Zealand representatives. Sydney, February 27. At the Postal Conference, the Hon. J. G. Ward, intimated that New Zealand was willing to join the Postal Union, but the Government could not see its way to entertain the Eastern Extension Company’s proposals for a cable guarantee. They meant a dead loss of sixteen thousand a year to the Treasury. They must keep before them the remote chance of a a Pacific cable, and the advantage to the colonies of a duplicate cable service. The debate on the proposals was adjourned till to-morrow. Sydney, February 28. At the Postal Conference Mr J. G. Duffy, Postmaster-General of Victoria, favoured the proposal for carrying bona fido newspapers free of postage. The President informed the Postmaster General of New Zealand that the clause in the Eastern Extension Company’s agreement precluding any arrangement being made with the other cable companies had been struck out, and that the agreement had only been entered into for a term of one year. Mr Ward replied that under these circumstances he felt disposed to try an

arrangement for one year, bub intimated he would have to consult his colleagues in the matter. The necessary motions for forcing the joining of the Postal Union, if ade' quately represented and there is no re' duction in the maritime transit rates without the consent of the countries affected, were carried. Later. At the Postal Conference to-day the discussion on the Eastern Extension Cable agreement was resumed, when the Hon. B. S. Bird, Colonial Treasurer of Tasmania, accused the Governments. of New Zealand and Queensland of selfishness in not joining in with the other colonies in paying the cost of obtaining reduction in the cable tariff. The Hon. T. Unmaclt, Postmaster-General of Queensland, in reply, stated that for the last 15 or 16 years the Queensland Government had always insisted on having a distinct service from the Eastern Extension Cable Company, feeling as they did that it would be dangerous to depend on one company. The question of finance bad not been taken into consideration, and if liis Government now joined it would be breaking the principle which they had held all along. Sydney, March 2.

At. the Postal Conference to-day a motion requesting the Cable Company to reduce the cost of press messages anent the convention to one-lialf was carried. The discussion on the Eastern Extension Cable agreement was resumed. The Hon J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General for New Zealand, said his Government were not favourable to joining the other colonies in paying the cost of the reduced cable tariff, and there was nothing in the proposed agreement that would warrant the Colony in joining. He traversed the former speeches at length, and denied that New Zealand had been guilty of selfishness. On the other hand, New Zealand had been liberal to excess, and had contributed LSOOO to the Sydney cable for over 11 years, while New South Wales only subsidised it by L 2500, and the other colonies paid nothing. He said New Zealand would not adopt a similar policy in future, nor did she wish to take advantage of a cheap rate at the expense of the other colonies. New Zealand, from a money point of view, occupied an entirely different . position to the other colonies. He explained that it would cost New Zealand L 16,000 to enter into the arrangement, and it was doubtful if the estimated increase of traffic would reach 20 per cent. If the colony entered for one year, it would be difficult to with draw ah the end of that term. The cost of the cables from New Zealand amounted to L 35,000 last year, and as the Government advocated making postal reductions in their own colony, involving .many thousands, they could nob see their way to subsidise a cable also. Although New Zealand was prosperous, she was opposed to extravagance and luxuries, and was determined to live within her resources, and abstain from further borrowing. He did not cry a poor mouth, as was suggested by some of the speakers ; quite the contrary, for the Colony’s excess of exports over imports was more than eight and three-quarter millions—-a result which was unequalled in the history of any colony. In conclusion, Mr Ward wished success to the other colonies which had adopted the scheme. Mr D. O’Connor, Postmaster-General of New South Wales, referring to Mr Ward’s remarks re the Sydney and New Zealand cable, said that his Government had subsidised the cable to the extent of L2OOO out of friendliness, and in order to bring New Zealand out of isolation. The cable itself was really no advantage to New South Wales. He believed that under the proposed cheap tariff traffic would increase 50 per cent. He regretted that the Imperial Government had not joined in defraying the cost. Mr O’Connor said in order to meet the wishes of objectors, he ivould suggest the foregoing of the payment of a subsidy, and that colonies now standing out should only guarantee the loss (if any) on the reduction of rates.