5

F.—B.

I am further respectfully to suggest that the recent movements of the foreign Powers in acquiring new stations in the North Pacific and the east generally, as well as the significant action of the Eussian authorities in insisting upon partial control of the telegraph-lines passing through their territory to Hongkong, furnish new and urgent reasons for adhering to the recognised necessity of an all-British telegraph-line to Australia, as well as of relieving the colonies from the obvious perils incidental to a great telegraphic monopoly, even if the suggested line vid South Africa could be made to touch only on British territory. My council therefore trust that your Government will again urge these views on the Colonial Office and on the Government of the Canadian Dominion. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Sir G. Turner. C. Hallett, Secretary.

Third Sub-enclosure to Sub-enclosure 2 in No. 12. Copy of Resolution adopted by the Chamber of Commerce. " That, in the opinion of this council, the peril to these colonies in case of the Empire becoming involved in war has been accentuated by the adverse pronouncement of the departmental Committee of the Imperial Government when reporting on the proposed extension of an all-British tele-graph-line to Australia. That the activity displayed by other nations in strengthening their military and naval positions in neighbouring seas, and connecting them by a network of cables of which they have exclusive or partial control, furnishes new and demonstrable evidence of the necessity of the long-discussed cable across the Pacific, and that it be urgently suggested to the Eight Hon. the Premier that the Colonial Office and the Government of the Canadian Dominion should be appealed to with a view to a definite decision in favour of this great work being no longer delayed."

No. 13. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) London, 27th August, 1898. Pacific cable : Cannot too strongly urge upon you joining other colonies so as to secure reduction charges.

No. 14. The Hon. the Premier, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Sir, — Premier's Office, Sydney, New South Wales, 30th August, 1898. I have the honour to acquaint you that, at a Conference of the Prime Ministers of Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales recently held in Sydney, the matter of the proposed Pacific cable was discussed, among other matters, and it was decided that, if the British and Canadian Governments agree to guarantee five-ninths of the cost, the Premiers then present would recommend their respective Parliaments each to contribute one-ninth; it being assumed, in view of the importance of such a cable to New Zealand, that that colony would be willing to guarantee the remaining ninth. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon, P.C., M.H.E., G. H. Eeid. Prime Minister of New Zealand, Wellington.

No. 15. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd September, 1898. Pacific cable : Committee House Eepresentatives recommends establishing cable. New Zealand to join Australian Colonies basis guarantee four-ninths total cost construction and annual deficiency ; New Zealand's proportion guarantee not exceed one-eighth of the whole cost. Governments to own cable. Canada to control, but colonies to be represented and vote on all matters. Eates— 3s. per word, ordinary messages; 25., Government; Press, Is. per word, and 6s. hundred words. Eeport will be considered by House on Thursday. [Same telegram sent to the Hon. the Premier, Sydney.]

No. 16. The Hon. the Peemier, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 7th September, 1898. Am in receipt of your telegram of third instant re Pacific cable.

No. 17. The Hon. the Premise, Wellington, to the Hon. the Peemieb, Melbourne, and the Hon. the Pbemiee, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th September, 1898. ; "^ Eegeet I omitted inform you that Committee of our House of Eepresentatives recommends establishing Pacific cable, but probably Premier New South Wales may have advised you. New