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SATURDAY, 18 JANUARY, 189 G. The Conference met at 930 a.m. Present: — New Zealand: Hon. W. P. Eeeves, New Zealand. Queensland: Hon. A. J. Thynne, M.L.C., Postmaster-General, Queensland. South Australia : \ Hon. J. A. Cockburn, M.D., M.P., Minister for Education and Agriculture, Tasmania: J South Australia. Victoria : Hon. J. Gavan Duffy, Postmaster-General, Victoria. New South Wales : Hon. Joseph Cook, M.P., Postmaster-General, New South Wales. Minutes of yesterday confirmed. The Hon. Dr. Cockburn made the following statement with reference to the resolution No. 5 re Pacific Cable, viz.: —" South Australia is willing to join in the project provided that a guarantee, either from the contributing Colonies alone or jointly with the Imperial Government, be given that the financial position of South Australia as regards the Port Darwin line be maintained on the basis of the average of the last five years." The Hon. Mr. Eeeves stated that he had cabled to the Hon. Mr. Ward yesterday, as he had promised, with regard to the terms on which New Zealand would come in as a contributing Colony, and that a reply had been received to the effect that, of course, it would be very disadvantageous to New Zealand to come in on an equally responsible footing with the other three Colonies. At the same time, Mr. Ward would be prepared to give way, and do so, annexing, however, the stipulation that Victoria and New South Wales should join with New Zealand in facing any possible loss on the present cable. (6.) Moved by the Hon. J. Gavan Duffy, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Tiiynne,—" That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Colonies joining contribute equally to the undertaking." Carried ; the Hon. Dr. Cockburn and the Hon. Mr. Eeeves refraining from voting. (7.) Moved by the Hon. Mr. Cook, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. J. Gavan Duffy,—"That, in the opinion of this Conference, in consideration of South Australia joining with the other contributing Colonies in the Pacific cable project, they would be willing, jointly with Great Britain, ' to' guarantee that Colony against further loss in connection with their transcontinental line in consequence of the construction of the new cable." Carried. (8.) Moved by the Hon. Mr. Tiiynne, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Eeeves, —" That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Earl of Jersey and Sir Edwyn Dawes be appointed on the • proposed Commission as the representatives of the Australasian Colonies." Eesolved in the negative. Hon. Dr. Cockburn moved, —" That a third representative be nominated to represent the special interests of the Western Colonies," but there being no support, —- The Hon. Mr. J. Gavan Duffy moved, and the Hon. Joseph Cook seconded, —" That, in the opinion of this Conference, Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., C.8., and the Hon. Duncan Gillies be nominated as representatives of the Australasian Colonies on the Commission in connectiou with the Pacific Cable, and that they be requested to consult on all important points the AgentsGeneral for the Australasian Colonies." Carried. (9.) The Hon. Mr. Eeeves moved, and the Hon. Mr. Thynne seconded,' —"That, in the opinion of this Conference, it be a recommendation to the Governments represented at this Conference to forward the foregoing resolutions to the Australasian Commissioners." Carried. The Conference adjourned at about 1245 p.m. to Monday next. James Dalgarno, JOSEPH COOK, Secretary to Conference. President.

MONDAY, 20 JANUARY, 1896. The Conference met at 11 a.m. ■gteaettt:— Queensland: Hon. A. J. Tiiynne, M.L.C., Postmaster-General, Queensland. South Australia: \ Hon. J. A. Cockburn, M.D., M.P., Minister for Education and Agriculture, Tasmania: j South Australia. Victoria : Hon. J. Gavan Duffy, Postmaster-General, Victoria. New South Wales: Hon. Joseph Cook, M.P., Postmaster-General, New South Wales. Minutes of Saturday confirmed. Federal Mail Service. The President laid a* memo, on the table, re the Federal Mail Service, and explained the present position of the matter, showing that the main questions of the disagreement with the British Post Office to be considered and determined were, — 1. Question of coloured labour, 2. Question of cold storage ; also a minor difference on the subject of the amounts in the compensation to be paid by contractors for loss of parcels or registered packets. Moved

* Appendix.