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Moved by the Hon. J. Cook, and seconded by Hon. J. Gavan Duffy,— " 10. This Conference, having considered the reply of the London office to the stipulation of the Hobart Conference, with regard to the manning of the mail boats by white instead of coloured labour, recognises fully the force of the reason given by the Imperial Government against insisting on the exclusion of coloured labour, viz., the necessity of discriminating between various classes of British subjects, but, in reply, would respectfully point out that by some steamship companies the labour of the contributing colonies is excluded from employment, and an invidious preference given to the labour of countries which do not contribute to the maintenance of the service. No injustice would thus be done by the stipulation that the labour of the countries subsidising the service only should be employed. And, therefore, this Conference is of opinion that the mails to and from Australia and Great Britain should be carried by ships manned with white crews only." The Conference concurred with London Office in the other points raised in connection with the new mail tenders. It was arranged that the President should communicate the above by cable to the London Post Office. The Hon. A. J. Thinne moved, and the Hon. Dr. Cockburn seconded, a vote of thanks to the Hon. Joseph Cook for the able manner in which he Lad presided over the proceedings of the Conference, and for his hospitality and kindness during the stay of the Delegates in Sydney. Carried by acclamation. The Hon. Joseph Cook returned thanks for the compliment paid him. The Hon. J. Gavan Duffy proposed, and the Hon. A. J. TnYNNE seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. James Dalgarno for his efficient services as Secretary to the Conference. Garried by acclamation. Mr. Dalgarno acknowledged the compliment. The Conference adjourned. James Dalgarno, JOSEPH COOK, Secretary to Conference. President.

The Conference finally met on Tuesday, 21st January, 1896, when minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Draft Report of the Conference was submitted, revised, and signed by the Delegates, the Hon. Mr. Cook intimating that he had been asked to sign on behalf of the Hon. Mr. Beeves, for New Zealand.

APPENDIX. Federal Mail Service. Memorandum showing present position. On the 21st May, 1895, the Minister for Education, Adelaide, forwarded a copy of a communication from the London Post Office, dated 29th March, 1595, relating to the Federal Mail Service, and with it a draft form of tender and proposed conditions for the new contract. This was dealt with at a Conference held at Adelaide in July, 1895, and, as a result, Adelaide Office addressed a communication to London, dated 24th September, 1895, conveying the decision of the Contracting Colonies in respect to the Federal Mail Service. The alterations which the Contracting Colonies sought are indicated in the copy of letter dated 21th September. 1895, addressed to London Post Office by the Adelaide Post Office. On the 6th January, 1890, the following telegram was received from the Adekide Postal Department, viz.: — Have just received the following telegram from London:—"With every desire meet wishes colonies interested. Her Majesty's Government regret that, after careful consideration, they feel unable invite tenders for service, including cold storage, or excluding coloured labour. Eeasons for this decision follow by post. Following conditions agreed to:—lst. English port departure, arrival. 2nd. Other countries' sea postage deducted from subsidy, also fines. 3rd. Balance payable ratio nineteen to fifteen. 4th. Tender form amend as suggested, except amounts in compensation clause.* Letter with supply amended forms next mail. Proposed advertise service next month. Will telegraph latest date for accepting tenders. Please telegraph acquiescence."

* The suggestion of Adelaide Conference was that the amount of compensation to bo paid by contractors for lost parcels should be increased from £1 to £3 per parcel, and from £2 to £5 per registered postal packet, it being thought that the larger amounts were only reasonable. London Office dissents.

Ministerial