F.—s

12

5. Eepresentations were made to have the survey accelerated, but the Admiralty declined to push on the survey with greater expedition, on the ground that they should first be informed that there is a prospect of the funds being found for laying the cable. 6. It is shown that there was then, as there is now a reasonable prospect of means being found for establishing the cable, but that it is a matter of no ordinary difficulty to bring ten Governments widely separated by distance into agreement respecting funds, and it would be futile to do so unless the survey proved the undertaking to be practicable. 7. The hope is therefore expressed that the Admiralty would see how reasonable it is that the survey should be accelerated, so that it would be completed at as early a date as possible, in accordance with the frequently-expressed wishes which have been referred to. This appeal was made through the Governor-General of Canada, but it remained without response. As far as known, the Admiralty were not prevailed upon to hasten the survey or make any change in the orders issued to the "Egeria." At a later period, however, a change was made, but it was preceded by the following letters, which explain themselves. fuetheb correspondence. Letter from Mr. Sandford Fleming to Lord Knutsford. "Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C., " My Lord,— " 26th June, 1890. " I feel constrained to address you on a subject which concerns Canada not less than other great divisions of the Empire. " When. I left Ottawa, two weeks ago, the matter to which I desire to refer had not been noticed in any quarter on the other side of the Atlantic. My attention has been directed since my arrival here to communications in newspapers of recent date, and more particularly to an article in The Times of the 20th instant, on the subject of telegraphy between Great Britain and Australasia. " If I understand the proposal which has been made, it is that the charges for telegraphing should be reduced to about one-half of the present rates, on condition that the Imperial and Australian Governments join in guaranteeing a certain revenue to the Eastern and Eastern Extension Telegraph Companies, which guarantee would involve a liability estimated by the representatives of these companies at £54,000, more or less, per annum. To put the proposal in other words, the Governments are asked, as I understand it, to assume the responsibility of supporting and maintaining a monopoly of the present line of telegraph for a period of ten years. "The proposal is not new It was made by the same companies in a slightly modified form (the principle being the same) three years ago, but it was not then seriously entertained. My surprise is that it should again be renewed, and I feel it a public duty to point out the consequence which will result should the proposal be accepted. " To enable me to do so it is necessary that I should refer to the proceedings of the Colonial Conference of 1887, at which I had the honour to be one of the representatives of the Dominion. " At this Conference an obligation rested upon the Canadian delegates to explain the position of Canada in relation to the telegraphic communications of the Empire, and it was acknowledged by nearly every member of the Conference that it would not be possible to overlook the undertakings and the peculiar geographical situation of the Dominion in considering the telegraphic relations of England and Australia, and in dealing with Imperial communications as a whole. " So much importance was attached, to the subject that, after the proposal of the telegraph companies was submitted, and every argument in its support advanced by their most able advocate and representative, Sir John Pender the Conference formally adopted two resolutions in favour of the Canadian route and I desire to emphasize the fact that no propositions brought before the Conference were assented to more cordially or with greater unanimity " These resolutions read as follows '1. That the connection recently formed through Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific by railway and telegraph opens a new alternative line of Imperial communication over the high seas, and through British possessions, which promises to be of great value alike in naval, military, commercial, and political aspects. 2. That the connection of Canada with Australia by direct submarine telegraph across the Pacific is a project of high importance to the Empire, and every doubt as to its practicability should, without delay, be set at rest by a thorough and exhaustive survey.' "The explanations and discussions, of which these resolutions were the outcome, set forth in ample detail that the true way to permanently reduce the charges in telegraphy between Great Britain and Australia is to utilize the Canadian route, and establish a new cable across the Pacific from the western coast of the Dominion. It was likewise shown that by this alternative route the electric cable would be laid in deep water, and the telegraph would pass through countries under the British flag, and, in consequence, would in every respect be safer from injury than the existing line, and more permanently serviceable in peace or war " The representations of the Conference were considered of so much importance that the Admiralty commenced a survey of the new route, and up to the present time has, as far as I am aware, discovered no difficulties in the way Possession has also been taken by Great Britain of a number of islands in the Pacific for the purpose of establishing mid-ocean stations. " Eecognising that negotiations were necessary in order to reach a common understanding, the Government of Canada two years ago invited the Governments of Australia and New Zealand to send delegates to Canada to consider the whole question of telegraphic and trade relations, and arrange terms. Correspondence resulted, involving delay, and it was finally agreed that delegates should be sent from Canada t6 Australia. Accordingly the Canadian Government appointed delegates last year , but the proposed federation of the Australian Colonies postponed their visit under