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Telegram referred to. FEDERAL MAIL SERVICE. London Sub., 6 —, 5-20 p.m. President Postal Conference, Hobart. AGBNTs-General conferred with Committee of Post Office urging views of Wellington Conference. Post Office then conferred Companies, who agreed from first February, 1896, to include parcel post in contract, and guaranteed, invariable call at Colombo. Post Office will extend contract two years, and write Colonies shortly on paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6 of recommendation Conference with every desire to meet wishes of Colonies. Hon. J. A. Cockburn seconded. Discussion followed, and the Motion was carried. Reduction of Postage to England. The President requested the Secretary to read a telegraphic letter received from Mr. Henniker Heaton, M.P., on the suggestion to reduce the rate of postage to England. The letter was read. Hon. Joseph Cook moved—That, while sympathising with the desire expressed by Mr Henniker Heaton for a cheaper postage rate to and from England and the Colonies, this Conference regards the present time inopportune for carrying out the proposal, and hereby decides accordingly Hon. J A. Cock-burn seconded. After discussion, Motion put and carried. Hon. P O Fysh moved—That the Conference adjourn until 10 a.m. to-morrow. Hon. Joseph Cook seconded. Carried. JOHN GAVAN DUFFY, President. Thos. C. Just, Secretary

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, HOBART

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1895. The Conference met at 11 a.m., when the under-mentioned gentlemen, representing the Colonies herein named, were present: — New South Wales: The Bon. Joseph Cook, M.P., Postmaster-General. S. H. Lambton, Esq., Deputy Postmaster-General. Victoria: The Hon. John Gαvan Duffy, M.L.A., Postmaster-General. James Smibert, Esq., Deputy Postmaster-General. South Australia: The Hon. J. A. Cockburn, M.P., Minister of Education, &c. &c. Sir Charles Todd, K.C.M.G., Postmaster-General. Queensland: The Hon. A. J Thynne, M.L.C., Postmaster-General. Jno. M'Donnell, Esq., Under Secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department and Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs. Tasmania : Hon. P 0 Fysh, M.H.A., Treasurer and Postmaster-General. H. V Bayly, Esq., Secretary to the Post Office. Western Australia: Sir John Forrest, Premier New Zealand: The Hon. P 0 Fysh, M.H.A., Treasurer and Postmaster-General, Tasmania. William Gray, Esq., Secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department. Cable Guarantee. The Report of the Committee of the Whole Conference on the subject of the Guarantee of Revenue to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company was read, as follows : — Report. The Committee has to report that the following Resolution of the Conference was cabled through the Manager in Australasia to the Chairman of the Company in London : — " That the several Colonies agree to guarantee International Revenue to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company of £227,000 per year, and to make up any loss below that amoiint, provided the total payment in any one year shall not exceed £10,000, and to guarantee a revenue of £20,000 on the New Zealand cable, and to make up any loss below that sum, providing the payment in any one year shall not exceed £9000 ; provided always that rates not higher than those now ruling be charged by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company during currency of such guarantee: such arrangement to be from year to year, and terminable at two months' notice."