19

A.—3.

(9.) Because the geographical disadvantage to which New South Wales ia exposed in this respect would be needlessly aggravated by the Ocean steamers stopping short at Melbourne, whilst such a course would neither conduce to economy nor afford any additional postal advantage to the southern Colonies. (10.) Because the making that port the terminus, without any necessity whatever, and not with the view of improving, but by directly impairing the efficiency of the service, would be fostering the rivalry of Melbourne by Imperial expenditure, and embittering the relations between the two Colonies and the Mother Country. (11.) Because the ground assigned by a majority of the Conference for a change of terminus — that the mails for New South Wales and Queensland should be carried overland between Melbourne and Sydney, 230 miles out of a total distance of 550 miles, by horse teams —is scarcely less preposterous, under existing circumstances, than if it were proposed that they should be carried by a service of balloons ; and it cannot be regarded by us as other than an evidence of indifference to the just claims of New South Wales. For the foregoing reasons, the Representatives of New South Wales, while expressing their anxiety for agreement and united action on other questions, cannot take part iv any further consideration of the proposed mail service between Melbourne and Galle. Hekkt Pakkes. Sydney, 4th February, 1873. Saul Samuel. Memorandum. The Representatives of New South Wales are prepared—(Ist.) To abide by the result of tenders being called for two services—one to Sydney aud one to Melbourne, with the necessary branches—and to accept whichever is cheapest in the interest of all the Colonies ; or (2nd.) To leave the question of terminus to the decision of the Secretary of State. Henbt Pakkes. February 4, 1873. Saul Samuel. 8. Sir Henry Ayers proposed, and Mr. Barlee seconded, the following motion, viz.:—" That the Chairman be requested to apply by letter to Mr. Macaulay, to ascertain whether he is prepared to give any answer to the questions put to him on the 27th ult."—which, on being put from the Chair, was carried unanimously. The Conference adjourned at 4 o'clock, until the next day, at half-past 10 o'clock. Henet Pabies, Chairman.

At the Treasury, Sydney, sth February, 1873. Present: — New South Wales : The Hon. Henry Parkes. South Australia : The Hon. Sir Henry Ayers. The Hon. Saul Samuel. The Hon. J. H. Barrow. New Zealand: The Hon. Julius Vogel. | Tasmania : The Hon. F. M. Innes. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds. The Hon. J. M. Wilson. Queensland: The Hon. A. H. Palmer. Victoria: The Hon. J. G. Francis. The Hon. J. M. Thompson. The Hon. E. Langton. Western Australia : The Hon. F. P. Barlee. The Conference having met at half-past 10 o'clock a.m., the minutes of the proceedings on the 4th instant were read and confirmed. 1. Mr. Langton laid before the Conference a paper embodying the reasons of the Victorian Representatives in favour of Melbourne being the terminus of the Suez Mail Service, which the Conference desired should be printed, viz.:— Seasons submitted by the Representatives of Victoria in favour of Melbourne being the Terminus of the Suez Mail Service. (1.) Because for the Suez Service it is the most central port of Australia, and from it the branch services to New Zealand and Tasmania must diverge. (2.) Because the time occupied with the mails from Europe will be shortened to all the Colonies (except Western Australia, which will not be affected by the change), by the saving of some hours in taking in coals at King George's Sound for the voyage from Melbourne to Sydney. (3.) Because a further saving of (on the average) twelve hours will be effected, by avoiding the delay now caused by the detention in Hobson's Bay, for the discharge of cargo for Melbourne, and the transhipment of mails for other Colonies. (4.) Because after August next, when the North-Eastern Railway of Victoria will be completed to the boundary of New South Wales, on the journey from Melbourne to Sydney a further saving can be effected, if the mails are carried overland, of at least ten hours. (See Report of Engineer-in-Chief of Victoria, attached.) (5.) Because for every ten miles of railway completed by New South Wales from Goulburn towards Albury, a further saving of one hour will bo effected. (6.) Because if the land service from Albury to Goulburn be objected to by New South Wales, and the mails to that Colony and Queensland are sent by a branch steamer, the saving of time at King George's Sound and Hobson's Bay will still be effected, and those mails delivered from fifteen to twenty-four hours earlier than under the present arrangement; or the mail may be divided, on the same principle as is adopted via Brindisi and Southampton, the letters being Bent overland, •while the heavy portion of the mail could be sent by sea.