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The Hon. Mr. Eeeves seconded. The Hon. Mr. Cook : Put it " That Lord Jersey and Sir Edwyn Dawes be the two Commissioners in London." (On a vote —2 for, 3 against.) The Hon. Mr. Duffy : And that they be requested in any important questions arising to consult with the Agents-General. The Hon. Dr. Cockburn read a telegram he had received from Tasmania re giving his vote on the appointment of the Commissioners. I recognise that the terms of the resolution moved by Mr. Duffy (providing that those who are appointed should take the opportunity of consulting with the other AgentsGeneral) remove very much the difficulty I would otherwise feel in voting for it, and I am bound to be swayed by the mode in which the resolution has been brought forward, and the kindly feeling shown, and further, will admit the cogent reason that I see no prospect of the ideas of the Colonies I represent in this matter being met. I therefore support the resolution. The Hon. Mr. Cook moved, and Mr. Duffy seconded: "That Sir Saul Samuel and Mr. Gillies be appointed as representatives of the Australasian Colonies as delegates on the Commission in connection with the Pacific cable, and that they be requested to consult in all important points with the Agents-General of the other Australian Colonies." The resolution was put. The Hon. Mr. Eeeves : I could not vote for that. Ido not know what view our Government may take of our action here. Some may dissent. As a matter of courtesy, I think what we do here should be communicated to our Governments. Ought wo to take upon ourselves the responsibility of sending these resolutions on to tho Commissioners ? The Hon. Mr. Duffy : Oh, no, no ; that is not proposed. There will be another resolution that our Governments be requested to do that. Pass this first, then we can have another motion. The Hon. Dr. Cockburn : Will you allow me to record a motion to show those Governments with which lam not connected that I have at least not lost sight of their special mandate. Each has given instructions, and I would like to have a motion tabled that an additional Commissioner be appointed to represent the views of the Western Colonies; although I suppose it is no use asking for a seconder. The main resolution (The Hon. Mr. Cook's) was then carried, and it was understood that the other delegates consented to record The Hon. Dr. Cockburn's motion re third Commissioner. The Hon. Dr. Cockburn submitted a resolution : " That the Commission be asked, in any recommendations they may make, to take into consideration the outlay incurred by South and Western Australia in providing' telegraphic communication with the outside world." Sir John Forrest authorised me to represent Western Australia only on one point, but Ido not think he meant —I do not want to take him absolutely at his word, especially as my own Government ask for consideration. Western Australia has certainly done something, though not as much as South Australia. [The shorthand writer was ashed not to take down remarks at this stage.] Subsequently, The Hon. Dr. Cockburn's resolution was read. The Hon. Mr. Cook: Is that necessary? The Hon. Dr. Cockburn : Well, I would like to move it; but if it does not meet with general consent I will not press it. The Hon. Mr. Tiiynne : What about communicating the results of this Conference to delegates ? The Hon. Mr. Duffy : That should be done by the Governments when they are appointed. We will recommend that our suggestions be conveyed to our Governments. The Hon. Mr. Cook : I think what is wanted is a short explanation or report —a sort of explanatory report, with the votes and proceedings. The Hon. Dr. Cockburn : And on the appointment of the Commission by tho respective Governments, a copy of the proceedings of this Conference be furnished to them. The Hon. Mr. Cook : We have to report to someone ; that someone is our respective Governments, and we had better have an explanatory report. The Hon. Mr. Thynne : If you have a report of that kind, of course it would have to be brought up and considered. The Hon. Mr. Eeeves : I move, " That it be a recommendation to the Governments represented at this Conference to forward the foregoing resolutions to the Australian Commissioners." —Carried. The Hon. Mr. Duffy: What about the Press? The Hon. Mr. Eeeves : I suppose they ought to get the resolutions with some general statements. The Hon. Mr. Cook : Ought they to get the resolutions ? There should be a general statement. I would suggest that Mr. Duffy and Mr. Reeves —as two old pressmen —make out a statement. The Hon. Mr. Eeeves : The only thing is, I am very much pressed for time. I have to pack up for to-morrow. Nothing definite was decided upon, and the Conference adjourned at about 1230 p.m.

MONDAY, 20 JANUARY, 1896. Hon. Mr. Cook took the Chair at 11 a.m. It was decided that as the London Postal Authorities requested that all proceedings connected with the preparation of the invitation for tenders for the Federal Mail Contract should be considered as confidential, it was not expedient to admit the Press. On the Secretary reading the minutes of Saturday's proceedings, conversation took place on several points, and some alterations were made. The minutes were then confirmed, nem con. The Hon. Mr. Cook: Nothing remains but the consideration of these mail conditions. Atthelast Conference we m<ade a number of stipulations with regard to the next contract; they were duly forwarded to London and considered there. In reply there came out on the 29th March last year a reply to the representations of the Hobart Conference. I see by a later letter from London that the only two points that new present any difficulty are the questions of cold storage and coloured labour. I think we are pretty w%ll