17

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unit of measurement for the purpose of reckoning, we find that the British flag floats over one hundred and one such units on the several continents in nearly the following remarkable proportions. In Europe —British land-surface, one unit; in Asia —British land-surface, ten units; in Africa —British land-surface, twenty units; in Australasia —British land-surface, thirty units; in America —British land-surface, forty units. 6. The design of the Empire-cable scheme is simply to unite these five continental groups of British units by State-controlled cables, laid for greater security in deep water. 7. The scheme originally involved the crossing of the three great oceans of the globe by submerged cables. This League has the satisfaction of knowing that substantial progress has been made, that one of the oceans has been crossed by a State-owned cable, that the trans-Pacific cable is laid and in successful operation from the shores of Canada to the shores of New Zealand and Australia. There remain to be traversed by national cables, the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. This League is more and more convinced that this great Imperial project is of inestimable importance to the trade and to the social and political relations of the whole British people; and that the common interests of every part of the Empire demand, with ever-increasing urgency, that the whole Empire-cable scheme should speedily be accomplished. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (I,426copies), (not including plates), £W 2s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o4. Price 9d.]

3—F. Ba.