THE PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 35

THE PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME.

The Premier has received from the AgentGeneral the following copy of a letter from the Colonial Office relating to tho proposed Pacific cable -.—

" Downing street, " 11th November, 1895. " Sir, —.1 proposal was recently made that a deputation of the Agents-General for the Australasian colonies and the High Commissioner for Canada should wait upon the Secretary of State for the Colonics with the view of discussing the question of the Pacific cable ; but it was arranged at the beginning of September that, having regard to the meeting of Parliament and tho consequent pressure of business, tho interview should be deferred to a more convenient season. " Since then the position of the matter has been materially affected by the grant by the Hawaiian tTOvernment to Colonel L. S. Spalding, subject to certain conditions, of an exclusive franchise for 20 years to lay cables for commercial purposes. "It is reported that Colonel Spalding, on obtaining this concession, entered into negotiations having for their object the continuance to Honolulu of the cable laid by a French association between New Caledonia and Queensland. " If the whole project thus contemplated is carried through, San Francisco or some other point in the United States territory will be placed in direct communication with Australasia, and it need hardly be observed that inthatcase tho position of the British project from the financial point of view would be very prejudicially affected. "It seems, thoreforo, to Mr Chamberlain to be highly desirable that no further time should be lost in considering the subject, and that some open .step should be taken which will disabuse foreign promoters of the idea that no competition is to be feared from a British line as recommended last year by the Ottawa Conference. " For this purpose Mr Chamberlain would suggest that the proposed interview should take place at an early date this month. " It' it then appears that there is a sufficient body of opinion in favour of considering the terms on which united action could be taken, Mr Chamberlain would be glad to cooperate in the appointment of a joint commission, or to lend his assistance in any other way which may seem best. " I am, &c, " (Signed) John Bramston. " The Agent-General for New Zealand." The Agent-General also forwards copy of a cablegram (which we published at the time it was wired) stating that at an interview which the Agents-General had had with Mr Chamberlain the latter gentleman agreed to appoint a Commission as requested by the colonies and stating that prompt action was desirable. Sydney, January 21. Mr Cook, Postmaster-General, considers that New Zealand and South Australia made a gopd bargain over the Pacific cable, the former getting the direct cable, while the latter is relieved of the Port Darwin line. Sydney, January 25. The Pacific Cable Conference ended in the selection of the senior Agents-General as delegates. In football parlance, the Daily Telegraph " barracked " vigorously for MiReeves, not because he was Agent General for New Zealand, but because he left the colonies with ideas on the up-to-date. However, the Conf'erp t ;ca probably 'did not wish to tread oa the corns of the gentlemen selected by placing a younger man before them. The fitness of one of the delegates appointed may be gathered from the fact that ho has only visited the colonies yinoe within the last fifteen years. LoJNoo.N. January 25. Mr Playford, - ooneral" fdi South Australia,'considers the Pacific cable will \{u whol|y in the interests of Canada, and it unlikely, that England wi}l pay/ any thing towards the losses by South. Australia if' the new cable is contructed, He add=i that it would.be a mistake for the oolonies to tie the