AUSTRALIA'S WANTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 17

AUSTRALIA'S WANTS.

Press Association — By Telegraph — Copyright. London, February 17. Mr Reid, the Victeiiau delegate, dined at the Hou*e of OymmoDs to-night as the guest of Mr Arnold Morley, Postmaster-general, and Mr Campbell-Banneronan, Secretary for War. He pressed on Mr Moiley tbe necessity of GretdT Britain subsidising the PaciGc mail steamers, and urged , that the Imperial Government 6honld guarantee halt the intensfc on tho co*t of construction of the Pacific cable, Ausnalia and Canada to bear the other half. He dwtlt especially on the value of purely English lines in the event of war, and pointed out that the completion of a fast Atlactic m<dl service might render possible a service alternating with the Suez rou^e. Mr Moilev replied sympathising with the remarks of Mr Reid, and implied that the Su«z services wouid be renewed for short periods only. Mr Itsid explained that Australia desired to be enabled to enter on differential trade relations with Canada, and Cipe Colony, and he thought the point might be conceded without impuiting "British relations with foroign Powers. Sir Charles Tapper, High Commissioner for Canada, is cordiiljy acting with Mr Reid, who still entertains the hope that Mr Cvicil Rhodes, Preaaier of Cape Colony, will visit Ergland before he leaves. Mr Morley said Krglaud desired to avoid foreign complication?, otherwise he v, r a? anxious to assist the colonies. Mr Reid pressed apon Mr Campbell-Ban-nerman tbs question <f frozen meat being taken for the lt,di<m army, and urged that freezing stores should be erected in Calcutta Fimilar to thoss in Mal r ,a. He also discussed the question of Australian defence with tbe Secretary for War. Mr Bannerman expresred himself favourably disposed toward 3 the suggestions of Mr Reid for fn zjn meat for India Fubruary 19. A meeting of 25 members of the Hou.-e of Commons was addressed by Mr Rsid, of Victoria, and promised ti give support to the Pacific cable and mail subsidies, and tho propo-iiions resp3Cting Imperial defence. Mr Keid intends to interview Ministers agiiu shortly ou the subject of differential tra^e relations between Australia, Canada, a~d the Cape. Mr Reid, in reply to questions at the meeting of M.P.V, *aid he beiieved Victoria would subsidise Huddart, Parker, and Co.'s steamers provided they called at Melbourne. February 20. In discussing the question of differential trade rates ar. the me; ting of M.P.'s, Mr Arnold Foster asked for exact statistics showing tbe proportion of British, foreigD, ar.d colonial trade «iih tbe Australian colonies. He r?girded the clames of the Belgium Z.'llverein, which stand in the way of the arracgement, as detestable, but thought foreigners were unlikely to facilitate the desires of the colonies and

sacrifice themselves. Mr Eeid discussed the same questions with Sir C. Dilk?. To-day the Postmaster-general told him the requests formulated by the Brisbane Postal Conference were too important to deal with cursorily, and it would' therefore be necessary temporarily to rene»v the Susz mail service contract". The Secretary of State for War has undertaken to strongly advise the Indian commissariat to erect freezing stores and accept Mr lleid's proposal for the supply of meat. Mr Campbell- Banrerman, Sir Redversßuller, and Sir Evelyn Wood will shortly discuss with Mr Reid the question of Australian defence. The Victorian delegate intends to visit France in order to ir quire into the duties on the importation of meat, and induce the Messageries Maritimes Company to fit up their steamers with refrigerating machinery.