TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of F.-5a, presented on 8th October, 1894.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, F-05b

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1894. NEW ZEALAND

TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of F.-5a, presented on 8th October, 1894.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

PACIFIC CABLE. No. 1. The Hon. the Minister of Teade and Commbece, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Pkemiee, Wellington. Sir,— Minister's Office, Ottawa, 10th September, 1894. In further execution of directions given by the recent Colonial Conference respecting the proposed Pacific cable, copies of which were duly sent to you, it has been decided by the Government of Canada, after consultation with the Imperial Government, to send Sandford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G., C.E., in company with Mr W H. Mercer of the Colonial Office (who was selected for that duty by the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies), to Honolulu to confer with the Government of the Hawaiian Eepublic upon the subject of neutral landing-ground on some one of the islands of the Hawaiian Group. A copy of the Order in Council appointing Mr Fleming, and also a copy of his letter of instructions, are herewith enclosed. I have, &c, Mackenzie Bowell, Minister of Trade and Commerce. The Hon. the Premier of New Zealand, Wellington.

First Enclosure in No 1 Pbivy Council, Canada.—4Bl J Exteact from a Eeport of the Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council, approved by His Excellency on the 10th September, 1894. The Committee of the Privy Council have had under consideration a telegram, hereto attached, dated 4th September, 1894, from the Marquis of Kipon, setting forth that Her Majesty's Government cannot send any one as their representative to Hawaii with the object of entering into negotiations for the acquisition of an island for the purposes of the Pacific cable, but that his Lordship is willing to place at the disposal of your Excellency's Government Mr Mercer, who, as Lord Jersey's secretary, is conversant with the proceedings and wishes of the late Colonial Conference on this subject. The Minister of Trade and Commerce, to whom this despatch was referred, states that his report dated sth September, 1894, was submitted before its receipt. He accordingly recommends that the minute of Council based thereon be rescinded, and that Sandford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G., be authorized to proceed to Hawaii to conduct negotiations, without compromising Her Majesty's Government or the Government of Canada, for obtaining the exclusive use of an island by a nominee of Her Majesty's Government —Hawaiian rights being respected—for the purposes specified in the resolution adopted by the Colonial Conference convened at Ottawa on the 28th June, 1894 : — " Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Conference, immediate steps should be taken to provide telegraphic communication by cable, free from foreign control, between the Dominion of Canada and Australasia." " Resolved, That, in view of the desirability of having a choice of routes for a cable connection between Canada and Australasia, the Home Government be requested to take immediate steps to secure neutral landing-ground on some one of the Hawaiian Islands, in order that the cable may remain permanently under British control." The Committee, concurring in the recommendation of the Minister of Trade and Commerce, submit the same for your Excellency's approval. John J. MoGoo, Clerk of the Privy Council.

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Sub-enclosure to First Enclosure m No. 1 The Marquis of Eipon to the Earl of Abeedeen (Telegram.) London, 4th September, 1894. Befeebing to Bowell's letter to High Commissioner, new Consul has recently proceeded to Honolulu, instructions having been sent him, Ist September, via San Francisco, to endeavour to secure exclusive use of an island by nominee of Her Majesty's Government, Hawaiian rights (?) being respected, and to assist a Canadian agent, without compromising Her Majesty's Government. Your agent, therefore, should go, as proposed. Her Majesty's Government cannot send any one as their representative , but, as it is understood that Canadian Government wish some one to be sent from England who is conversant with proceedings of, and wishes of, Conference, I am willing to place at their disposal for this purpose Mercer, who, as Lord Jersey's secretary, appears to fulfil conditions. I have accordingly directed him to proceed by quickest route. Consul has been told that Her Majesty's Government take warm interest in the success of these negotiations. I presume result of tender will not be published till these negotiations are concluded. Eipon

Second Enclosure m No. 1. The Hon. the Minister op Teade and Commbece, Ottawa, to Mr Fleming. Sib,— Ottawa, 10th September, 1894. At the Colonial Conference convened in Ottawa on the 28fch of June last for the purpose of considering the best means of promoting more extended trade relations between Canada, Australasia, and other British colonies—which means included the matter of telegraphic communication— the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : — " Resolved, That, in view of the desirability of having a choice of routes for a cable connection between Canada and Australasia, the Home Government be requested to take immediate steps tosecure neutral landing-ground on some one of the Hawaiian Islands, in order that the cable may remain permanently under British control. "Resolved, That the Canadian Government be requested, after the rising of the Conference, t& make all necessary inquiries, and generally to take such steps as may be expedient, in order to ascertain the cost of the proposed Pacific cable, and promote the establishment of the undertaking in accordance with the views expressed in this Conference." The foregoing resolutions were forwarded to the Eight Honourable the Marquis of Eipon, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the Canadian Government has passed an Order in Council, bearing date 10th September, 1894, appointing you a Commissioner to proceed to Honolulu, in company with W H. Mercer, Esq., of the Colonial Office, London (who was selected for that duty by Lord Eipon), with authority to negotiate with the Government of the Hawaiian Bepublic for neutral landing-ground on some one of the islands of that country for the cable which it is proposed to lay between Canada and Australia. Upon arrival in Honolulu you will report yourself to the British Consul, who has received instructions from the Imperial Government upon the subject of your mission. I have to impress upon you the importance of this mission—commercially and otherwise—and the necessity of caution in any of the negotiations which you may have with the Hawaiian authorities, in order that in no way may the Imperial or Canadian Governments be compromised. "Upon the completion of the negotiations, you will report fully to the Canadian Government the result of your mission. I have, &c, M. BOWELL, Minister of Trade and Commerce. Sandford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G., C.E., Ottawa. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,275 copies), £1 Bs.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB94.

Price Sd.J

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