F.—3

12

The Conference,

'• The Conference then proceeded to discuss the whole question of duplication of the cable, and the various routes proposed ; when, after mature deliberation, the following resolutions were adopted: — " 1. That it is desirable to extend and improve the means of telegraphic communication between Australia and Europe, by the duplication, where necessary, of the cables or lines connecting the same." "2. That any subsidy on ocean cables to connect Australia with Europe shall be borne by the several Australian colonies assenting thereto, in proportion to population." The Conference then proceeded to discuss the whole question of duplication of the cable, and the various routes proposed ; when, after mature deliberation, the following resolutions were adopted: — " 1. That it is desirable to extend and improve tho means of telegraphic communication between Australia and Europe, by the duplication, where necessary, of the cables or lines connecting the same." "2. That any subsidy on ocean cables to connect Australia with Europe shall be borne by the several Australian Colonies assenting thereto, in proportion to population." " 3. That the loss, if any, on competing colonial lines, to connect the cables with the main telegraphic system of each colony, should in like manner be borne by all the colonies concerned." Note. — Tasmania voted against this resolution; New Zealand, Victoria, and Western Australia did not vote. "4. That inasmuch as it has been decided that it is desirable to extend and improve the means of telegraphic communication between Australia and Europe, by the duplication, where necessary, of the cables or lines connecting the same, and that the subsidy on ocean cables to connect Australia with Europe be borne by tho several colonies assenting thereto in proportion to population, — " (1.) The several Governments of South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia bo invited to open negotiations for the construction of cables connecting their several colonies with Singapore or Ceylon; and the Government of New Zealand for the construction of a cable from that colony to the United States of America. " (2.) That in such negotiations the Government of New Zealand enter into communication with the Government of the United States for the purpose of procuring their consent to contribute to the payment of any subsidy that may be payable in respect of the same ; and further, that in all the negotiations of the several Governments the necessity of procuring a reduction of the present tariff rates be especially kept in view, the maximum rate being six shillings per word. " (3.) That in the meantime the South Australian Government be requested, on behalf of tho several colonies, to urge upon the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company the necessity of keeping a repairing steamer between Banjoewangie and Port Darwin, to repair any accident to that portion of cable." " 5. That having in view the serious annoyance and loss occasioned by the mutilation of messages in transmission through Java, the President of this Conference be requested, on behalf of the Australasian Colonies represented, to communicate with the Secretary of State, for the purpose of obtaining permission from the Government of Netherlands-India to employ English operators on the land lines in Java." "6. That the Governments of South Australia and New South Wales be empowered to make arrangements with the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company for a reduction of message tariff to six shillings per word, at a subsidy not exceeding £20,000 per annum, terminable at one year's notice ; and that such subsidy be borne by the respective colonies in proportion to population —any colony to be at liberty to withdraw on like notice." Note. — The colonies of New Zealand, Tasmania, and Western Australia refrained from voting on this resolution. " 7. That the several colonies agree to allow the necessary official telegrams of H.M. ships to pass over their respective lines free of charge." " 8. That the Governments of Queensland and South Australia be requested to circulate among the respective Governments the draft Bills referred to in the resolutions of the Intercolonial Conference held in Sydney, passed on the 10th February, 1873, for removing the defects in the law relating to the extradition of criminals and the absconding of debtors, with a view to the same being submitted to the respective Legislatures as early as practicable." (The following are the resolutions referred to: — " That the present state of the law in regard to the extradition of criminals escaping from one colony into another is defective. That the Government of Queensland be requested to prepare a Bill on the subject, which the representatives of the several colonies undertake —provided it is approved by their respective Law Officers —to endeavour to pass into law." " That the present state of the law in regard to remedies to be had against absconding debtors is defective." " That the Government of South Australia be requested to prepare a Bill to remedy tho defects, and, subject to the approval of their respective Law Officers, the members of this Conference will endeavour to procure the passing of a similar Bill in their respective Legislatures.") "9. That in the opinion of the Conference it is desirable that a uniform telegraphic code should bo adopted by the several Australasian Colonies." A motion proposed by the representatives of South Australia, " That this Conference approves of the construction of a duplicate line from Singapore to Banjoewangie," was also negatived,—those in favour of the motion being New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. A motion was also proposed by the representative of Western Australia, " That any duplicate of the present cables start from the north-west coast of Western Australia, provided it is shown that by such the best communication with Enrope and Asia is secured at a moderate cost as compared with other and alternative routes which have been advanced ; " but after some discussion the motion, with the concurrence of the Conference, was withdrawn.