THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2481, 25 March 1893, Page 1

THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Brisbane, March 22. At the Postal confereuce to-day it was decided to continue the guarantee to the Eastern Extension Cable Oomgauy at the present reduced rates, Queensland being the only colony that dissented from this arrangement. Mr Ward moved the resolution of which he had given notice with reference to a second cable route via the Pacific to Vancouver. He said that his idea was that the route should be from Queensland to Ahaipara Bay, New Zealand, thence overland to Mongonui, and thence to Fiji, the Sandwich Islands, Fanning Island and Vancouver. In the course of the discussion Mr Unraack, Postmaster-General of Queensland, denied that the colony had given France the exclusive right to land a cable. It was impossible to get a Pacific cable tstiiuslvely through British territory. He looked upon the New Caledonian cable as an. accomplished fact, having received a letter from Captain Audely Foote, the representative of the Societe Francais Des Telegraphic Lousmariu, in which he mentioned that the company expected to have the cable laid by the first week in August of the present year, and the whole line across the Pacific ocean completed in the near future. The discussion was adjourned. March 20. During the discussion upon, the renewal of the cable agreement under f^ lo re duced rates, Mr Ward stated th ” t the new system was working sa tisf ac torily in New Zealand. -H q’hoped to arrange with the Guble Company for a large reduction of ,T, .uercolonial press rates. In speaking to his motion respecting the new cable across the Pacific, Mr Ward said that if it were carried none of the colonies would bo committed financially. The promoters would have to formulate proposals for the consideration of their respective Governments. In addition to the places already mentioned, he suggested that it should touch Samoa. The advantages naturally and commercially of such a line would be very great. The removal of the wool tariff by the United States gave the expectation of an enormous trade with the colonies, in addition to which there would be a Canadian trade to consider. Mr Ward hoped that a broad view would be taken of the proposal. Mr Kidd,’Postmaster- General of New South Wales, seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr Unmack, of Queensland, and Mr Wynn, of Victoria.