TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 25th August, 1896.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, F-08

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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 25th August, 1896.]

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

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTEALIAN CABLES. No. 1. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sib,— Melbourne, 13th April, 1897. I have the honour to inform you that this company is prepared to make a substantial reduction of the tariff between the Australasian Colonies and China-Japan from Ist July next, subject to the approval of the guaranteeing Governments. The company's proportion would be reduced for China traffic from ss. 2d. per word to 3s. sd. (inclusive of Java transit rate, Id.), making the full rate from New Zealand 4s. 6d. per word, instead of 6s. 3d. The company also hope to introduce a uniform tariff of 4s. 6d. per word for Hongkong, Amoy, Foochow, and Shanghai, with a corresponding reduction for Japan. I have also to intimate that, if there is a probability of Queensland being allowed the benefit of the reduced rates without participating in the guarantee, the company would suggest that the concession should take effect from the Ist July next. An early reply is solicited, in order that the necessary timely notice may be given to Berne. I have, &c, W. Warren, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Manager in Australasia.

No. 2. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Adelaide, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 18th June, 1897. Referring to my telegram of 28th May [not printed], Queensland declines to join in duplicate cable subsidy; but Mr. Dickson will recommend Cabinet to concur in international and New Zealand guarantees if this includes engagements for Tasmanian cable. I suggest concurrence, as duplicate cable subsidy runs out in October, 1899.

No. 3. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Adelaide. Post and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th June, 1897. New Zealand agrees to Queensland joining in cable guarantees.

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No. 4

The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Adelaide. Post and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Wellington, 29th June, 1897. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 28th April last [not printed] in connection with the reduced cable rates between the Australasian Colonies and China-Japan, to come into force on the Ist proximo, and the question of agreeing to Queensland participating in the reduced cable rates generally, My telegrams of the 18th [not printed] and 28th instant will have informed you that this colony agrees to the proposed reduction in the rates to China-Japan, and has no objection to Queensland sharing in the reduced charges generally, provided that colony will join in the international and New Zealand guarantees, including the engagements for the Tasmanian cables. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Postmaster-General, Adelaide. For the Secretary.

No. 5. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, Bth July, 1897. From to-day, rate from Queensland to New Zealand four shillings and sixpence first ten words; sixpence each additional word. Respective proportions same as for rate from New Zealand to Queensland.

PBOPOSED PACIFIC CABLE. No. 6. The Hon. the Premier, Adelaide, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 26th October, 1896. Referring to previous correspondence, and to the cable intimation that Canada is appointing a third representative to Pacific Conference, we should be very glad of your co-operation in a recommendation that our Agent-General, the Hon. Thomas Playford, be appointed a third Commissioner for Australasia. He represented this colony at Ottawa, and is thoroughly acquainted with the question in all its bearings. Will you kindly favour us with an early reply ?

No. 7. The Hon. the Premier, Hobart, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Hobart, 26th October, 1896. 1 concur appointment Playford third representative Pacific Conference.

No. 8. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premiers, Brisbane and Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th October, 1896. Pacific cable: Referring to Canada appointing third representative, the Premier South Australia solicits our co-operation in recommending appointment Hon. Mr. Playford as third representative for colonies. While I favour a third representative, lam not clear that South Australia's proposal should be agreed to, and have deferred replying until I learn your views. Have wired in similar terms to Premier {|^f s " e a^e j ■ Will be obliged for early reply.

No. 9. The Hon. the Premier and Colonial Treasurer, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 3rd November, 1896. Pacific cable : Your telegram of thirtieth ultimo received.

No. 10. The Hon. the Premier, Brisbane, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Brisbane, 4th November, 1896. South Australia has not communicated with us re appointment of Playford as third representative Pacific Cable Conference, but we are not disposed to co-operate in recommendation, preferring appointment of Sir Henry Norman or Sir Edwyn Dawes.

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No. 11. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Adelaide. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th November, 1896. Pacific Cable Conference and your message twenty-sixth ultimo : This colony will take no action in the matter of appointing third representative. Only just returned to Wellington, which will explain delay in replying.

No. 12. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th November, 1896. Pacific Cable Conference and my message of thirtieth ultimo : Have now decided not to take any action in appointing third representative.

No. 13. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Hobart. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th November, 1896. Third representative Pacific Cable Conference : Decided not to take any action.

No. 14. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th November, 1896. Third representative Pacific Cable Conference : Decided not to take any action.

No. 15. The Hon. the Premier, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 12th November, 1896. Pacific Cable Conference : Your telegram of tenth instant re appointment third representative received.

No. 16. The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sydney Chamber of Commerce, Sir,— Sydney, New South Wales, 26th June, 1897. The committee of this Chamber having been appointed by resolution of the conference of Chambers of Commerce of Australasia, held in Sydney from the 17th to the 22nd May, 1897, to act as an executive in carrying out the resolutions passed at that conference, I have now the honour, by their direction, to forward you copy of resolution carried thereat : — " Pacific Gable : That this conference is of opinion that the early establishment of telegraphic communication with the Mother-country, via the Pacific Ocean and the Dominion of Canada, under Imperial control, and passing through British possessions only, is a necessity not only in commercial interests, but for Imperial strategic reasons, and will materially assist not only the great cause of Australian Federation, but will also form a strong bond of union between Great and Greater Britains. Further, that it be a recommendation to the Governments of the various colonies represented at this conference to urge upon the Imperial Government to carry out the laying of the Pacific cable at the joint expense of the Governments interested with the least possible delay." I have, &c, Henry Charles Mitchell, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand. Secretary.

No. 17. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Sydney. Post and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Wellington, 17th July, 1897. I have the honour, by direction of the Acting Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, conveying a resolution carried by the conference of Chambers of Commerce of Australasia in May last, urging the laying of a Pacific cable, and to say that the representations will receive the careful consideration of the Minister. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Sydney. For the Secretary. Approximate Coat of taper. —Preparation, not givun; printing (1,470 copies), £1 18s. 6d.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97.

Price 3d.]