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THURSDAY, 19 NOVEMBEB, 1806. The Conference was opened at the General Post Office, Sydney, at 2's'D p.m., when tho undermentioned gentlemen, representing the Colonies, were present, viz.:—■ Queensland • on ' A- J- Tiiynne, M.L.C., Postmaster-General, Queensland. (_ John McDonnell, Esq., Under Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs. fllon. J. A. Cockburn, M.D. (Loud.), M.P., Minister for Education and AgriSouih Australia : 1 culture, South Australia. (.Sir Charles Todd, K.C.M.Gr., Postmaster-General, South Australia. ■ } HoE, J - Gavax Dlffy, M.P., Postmaster-General, Victoria. TV c // ur 7 (Hon. Joseph Cook, M.P., Postmaster-General, New South Wales. JSeio houtli Wales : | H LAMBTOir> Eg(l _ j P) D eputy Postmaster-General, New South Wales. Western Australia : Hon. E. H. "Wittenoom, M.L.C., Minister for Mines, "West Australia. Minutes of the proceedings of the 14th instant were read and confirmed. Mr. Lambton brought up Eeports of the Permanent Heads relating to (1) the Federal Mail Service ; (2) Universal Postal Union Congress ; and (3) to other urgent and important matters selected by them for consideration of the Conference. [Appendices C, D, E.] The Conference then proceeded (o consider in detail (2) Beport as to the Universal Postal Union Congress. After debate it was moved by the Hon. E. 11. Wittenoom, and seconded by the Hon. A. J. Thynne:—"That the report be adopted subject to such addition and amendments as may bo forwarded by the Colonies previous to the departure of the Australasian delegate for Washington." (3) Eeport of the Permanent Heads as to matters of importance and urgency was then read by Mr. Lambton, and discussed. After revision of the Eeport (with consent of tho three Permanent Heads who signed it), it was moved by Hon. A. J. Thtxne, and seconded by the Hon. J. A. Cockburf,—" That the Eeport, as revised, be adopted." Carried. The Conference next dealt with that portion of the Eeport signed only by Sir Charles Todd and Mr. Lambton, relating to certain action proposed to be taken by the Queensland Postal Department. After discussion, it was moved by Hon. J. Gat AN" Duffy, and seconded by Hon. J. A. Cockburn, — " That the Queensland Government be asked to reconsider proposal to rescind, so far as that Colony is concerned, so much of article 12 of the Australasian Convention as relates to the admission of merchandise to the packet post, and the charges intended to be levied by Queensland on intercolonial newspapers." Carried. Hon. Mr. Thynne not voting. The President then conveyed to Hon. Mr. Thynne the resolution so passed. The question of representation at the Universal Postal Union Congress was then introduced by the President, and after some discussion it was resolved, on tho motion of the Hon. J. Q-avait Duffs', seconded by Hon. J. A. Cockburn, —" That a Minister controlling an Australasian Post Office—accompanied by Mr. James Smibert, Dcputy-Poshnaster-General of Victoria, as postal expert—attend the Washington Congress as Eepresentative of Australasia." It was resolved, on the motion of Hon. E. H. Wittenoom", seconded by Hon. A. J. Thynne,— " That the thanks of the Conference be tendered to the Hon. Joseph Cook for his services as President and for his hospitality during the stay of the Delegates in the Colony." On the motion of Hon. J. A. Cockburn, seconded by Hon. J. Gay an Duffy, Mr. Dalgarno was thanked for his services as Secretary to the Conference. Tho President handed the following draft of a cablegram to the Postmaster-General, London, as the result of the Ministerial consideration of the Federal Mail Service matter, and directed that it bo at once transmitted to London, which instruction was immediately carried out. Copy of Cablegram sent to Postmaster-General, London. " Federal Mail Tenders. —In view of your cables on the subject, and our desire to secure continuance of Federal Mail Service, there appears no alternative but to consent acceptance tender P. and O. as well as Orient Company,as suggested by Imperial Government. Conference,in consenting,urges negotiations to secure following modifications :— " 1. Term of contracts, five years. " 2. Duration of voyage, 672 hours for both Companies between Naples, Brindisi, and Adelaide. "3. Time of departure from Adelaide, Saturday, 2 - 30 p.m. " 4. Steamers to enter Princess Eoyal Harbour, Albany, until IYeemantle Harbour approved by Admiralty Surveyors, after which steamers to enter latter Harbour. " JOSEPH COOK, " Sydney, 19/11/96. < : President of Intercolonial Conference." The meeting then adjourned sine die. Confirmed— J. Daloabno, JOSEPH COOK, Secretary. President.

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