F.—s

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of F.-5, 1893, presented on the 20th September, 1893.]

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

PACIFIC CABLE No. 1. The Pbivate Secbetaby to the Hon. Mackenzie Bowell, Sydney, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. Sic,— Sydney, N S.W., 12th October, 1893. lam directed by the Hon. Mackenzie Bowell, Minister of Trade and Commerce, Canada— now on a visit to Australia for the purpose of exchanging views upon trade and telegraphic communication between these colonies and the Dominion of Canada—to enclose to you herewith a copy of a communication received by him from Sandford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G., on the subject of the Pacific cable. As Mr Bowell's stay in these colonies—owing to the meeting of the Canadian Parliament in January next—is limited, and it may not be possible within so short a period to discuss fully these matters with each Government separately, I am directed to ask if your Government would be disposed to send a representative to some central point in the colonies, to be agreed upon by the Governments, to consider the whole subject. Should this suggestion commend itself to your judgment, Mr Bowell will be glad to attend any conference which may be arranged. Mr Bowell desires it to be understood that the Canadian Government is not committed to any particular scheme for the establishment of cable communication between the colonies and Canada, that being a subject for mutual consideration and decision. If time will permit it, Mr. Bowell intends visiting your colony before returning to Canada. I have, &c, J L. Payne, The Hon. E. J Seddon, Premier, &c, Wellington. Private Secretary

Enclosure in No. 1 Mr Sandfobd Fleming to the Hon. Mackenzie Bowell. Sib, " The Australia," Sydney, 11th October, 1893. Since I arrived in Sydney I have obtained, through the courtesy of the Premier and Post-master-General, full statistics respecting telegraphy between the Australian Colonies and Great Britain. I am enabled thereby to present my views on the matter of the Pacific cable, based on the latest ascertained facts. With that object in view, I beg leave to submit the following memorandum for the information of yourself and the several Governments. I have, &c, Sandfoed Fleming. The Hon. Mackenzie Bowell, Minister of Trade and Commerce, Canada, Delegate to the Australian Colonies and New Zealand.

Sub-enclosure to Enclosure m No. 1 (See paper F.-2, 1894, pp. xxxi-xxxvi, Appendix G, No. 1.)

I—F 5.