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(7.) That the ocean mail steamers call at Glenelg, South Australia, to receive and deliver mails. During the discussion a resolution was passed that if, during the sittings of the Conference, the representatives of New South "Wales concurred in the action of the Conference with regard to the Galle Service, the arrangements respecting it should be left to the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. New South "Wales, however, refusing to concur, and protesting against the terminus being at Melbourne, the arrangements for the negotiation of the service remain with Victoria alone. The decision that the terminus be at Melbourne was arrived at on the following division :—Ayes: Messrs. Francis, Langton, Vogel, lleynolds, Innes, Wilson, Barlee, Barrow, and Sir Henry Ayers. Noes : Messrs. Palmer, Thompson, Samuel, and the Chairman (Mr. Parkes). The general resolution approving of the G-alle Service was then adopted by the votes of all the delegates, except those from New South Wales, who explained that their votes were given in opposition because it had been decided that the terminus should be at Melbourne. At a subsequent meeting of the Conference the question of the terminus being at Melbourne was rediscussed, on a motion by Mr. Innes to the effect that the arrangement for the transmission of the New South Wales and Queensland mails, as embodied in the motion of Mr. Langton, adopted 27th January, was " not satisfactory." A division Was taken on Mr. Innes's motion with the following result: —For the motion —Messrs. Innes, Palmer, Thompson, Samuel, and the Chairman (Mr. Parkes). Against the motion —Messrs Francis, Langton, Vogel, lleynolds, Barlee, Barrow, and Sir Henry Ayers,—Mr. Wilson declining to vote. The result wa3, therefore, to affirm the former decision that the terminus be at Melbourne. Upon this, Messrs. Parkes and Samuel, on behalf of New South Wales, lodged a protest, which, together with memoranda on the same subject by the representatives of Victoria and New Zealand, will be found in the Minutes of Proceedings. ll.—The Torres Straits Seevice. A resolution was adopted in favour of the establishment of a mail service between Singapore, Brisbane, and Sydney, provided the total cost should not exceed £20,000 per annum, the cost to be divided between all the Colonies in proportion to the number of letters they despatch by this route. The Imperial Government to be asked to contribute £5,000 per annum towards the subsidy. It was further decided that the negotiations for the establishment of the service be left to the Government of Queensland. lll.—The San Francisco Service. The Conference agreed to move the Imperial Government to pay all charges upon the transmission of mails to and from London and San Francisco (retaining all postages collected in the United Kingdom on account thereof), and to contribute £20,000 annually towards a San Francisco Service, to be agreed upon between the Governments of New Zealand and New South Wales. IV.—Postal Rates and Arrangements. With reference to postal charges and the further facilities required in this department of the public service, the Conference adopted resolutions to the following effect: — (1.) That the rates of postage to the United Kingdom, by any of the services agreed to by the Colonies—already established or to be established—shall be the same as at present by the Southampton route ; the Brindisi charge also remaining as at present. (2.) That there be, on and after Ist January, 1874, a uniform Intercolonial letter rate of 2d. per half-ounce, both overland and by sea; and that a uniform Intercolonial parcel and book-packet rate, be also adopted, according to a scale agreed upon. {Vide Minutes.) (3.) That after 31st March next, captains of vessels be permitted to have a box or bag for the reception of letters up to the time of sailing, provided such letters are sufficiently stamped, and also bear the late-fee stamp ; such letters to be delivered without extra charge by the postal authorities of the Colonies to which they are addressed. V.—The Telegraph Service. > The Conference considered various questions connected with the Telegraph Service, and came to the following; conclusions : — (1.) That in view of the serious inconvenience that would result from the stoppage of telegraphic communication with Europe, it is desirable to construct a cable between Singapore and the terminus of the Queensland lines at Norman Mouth. (2.) That a memorial be transmitted to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, informing him that the several Australasian Governments are very desirous of co-operating with the Imperial Government in the acquisition or construction of through lines of telegraphic communication between Great Britain, India, and Australasia. (3.) That on and after Ist November next, the charge for telegraphic messages within each ot the Australasian Colonies be Is. for ten words (exclusive of address and signature), and Id. for every additional word ; but that these charges are not to include messages on the lines from Port Augusta to Port Darwin, from Bowen to Norman Mouth, nor the cable charge between Tasmania and Victoria. (4.) That messages for New Zealand and Western Australia be received at all Australian Stations, the proper charge being made for their transmission to the port or place from which they are to be posted, and vice versa with regard to telegrams posted in New Zealand and Western Australia to the telegraph operator at any port in Australia ; and that arrangements should be made for the collection of telegraph charges on all such messages.
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