F.—3

16

The Confereno

c- The Colonies of New Zealand, Tasmania, and Western Australia did not vote. The Hon. Ebenezer Ward having obtained leave to amend his original motion, proposed that after the word " that," the following words be inserted : — " [That ] this Conference approves of the construction of a duplicate line from Singapore to Banjoewangie." The Conference having fully discussed the subject, the motion was put by the Chairman, and negatived on the following division: — Ayes. Noes. New South Wales. New Zealand. South Australia. Queensland. Victoria. Tasmania. Western Australia. The Conference, on the motion of the Hon. Sir Henry Ayers, adjourned at a quarter-past 4 o'clock until next day, at half-past 10 a.m. John Robeetson, Chairman.

Wednesday, 31st Januaey, 1877. [The Hon. R. S. Anderson was not present at this or the subsequent meeting.] The Conference having met at half-past 10 o'clock, the minutes of the proceedings on the 30th instant were read and confirmed. The Hon. Malcolm Fraser then proposed the following resolution : —" That after the word ' That,' the following words be added, being the motion of which notice was given by him on the 29th instant: — " [That] any duplicate of the present cables start from the north-west Coast of Western Australia," and that in addition thereto the following words be added : " provided it is shown that by such the best communication with Europe and Asia is secured, at a moderate cost as compared with other and alternative routes which have been advanced." After discussion, the Hon. Malcolm Fraser, with the consent of the Conference, withdrew his resolution. The Hon. R. Ramsay laid before tho Conference a " Memorandum to Hugh George, Esq., General Manager of the Argus, on the subject of delays iv transmission of cable telegrams, &c," which, having been read, the Conference directed should be printed. The Chairman also laid before the Conference a telegram from John Pender, Esq., Chairman of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, on the subject of a duplicate cable, which was ordered to be printed. The Hon. S. W. Griffith proposed the insertion of the following words after the word " That"— " it is desirable that a submarine cable should be laid from Singapore to Capo York, in Queensland, the Government of that colony undertaking, in the event of such cable being made, to connect their existing land lines therewith." The Chairman then put tho question, " That the words proposed to be inserted be so inserted." The Conference divided. Ayes. Noes. Queensland. New South Wales, New Zealand. South Australia. Victoria. Western Australia. Tasmania did not vote. The Hon. G. McLean then proposed the resolutions (with certain alterations) of which notice was given yesterday, viz., — "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 the several colonies assenting thereto in proportion to population,— " (1.) The several Governments of South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia be 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 negotiating for the construction of the last-mentioned cable, 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 Governmeats the necessity of procuring a reduction of the present tariff rates be especially kept in view, the maximum rate being 6s. per word." " (3.) That in the meantime the South Australian Government be requested on behalf of the 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." After discussion, it was proposed and carried, on the following division, — " That the further consideration of the resolutions be postponed until the Hon. Alex. Stuart's motion (No. 3), and the Hon. R. S. Anderson's amendment thereon, postponed on the 29th instant, should be disposed of: — Ayes. Noes. New South Wales. New Zealand. Queensland. Victoria. South Australia. Western Australia. Tasmania.