PAPERS.
243
403
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
Postal and Telegraphic Conference, 1896.
EXTRACT from the REPORT of the DELEGATES to the INTERCOLONIAL CONFERENCE, beld in
Sydney, in January 1896.
President: The Honourable JOSEPH COOK, M.P., of New South Wales.
Each of the seven Colonies of Australasia was represented.
The Conference sat on the 17th, 18th, and 20th January 1896.
The following resolutions were adopted, viz. :-
Relating to the proposed Pacific Cable.
1. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Pacific Cable should be constructed and owned
jointly by the various Governments interested.
2. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the landing places of such cable should be only upon
territory belonging to or under the control of the British Empire.
3. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the cost of its construction, working, and maintenance be borne in the following proportions, namely:-Great Britain, one-third; the Dominion of Canada, one-third; and the contributing Australasian Colonies, one-third.
4. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the route from Fiji to Australia be via Norfolk Island, thence bifurcating to the nearest convenient landing places in the north of New Zealand and Moreton Bay respectively.
5. That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is highly desirable that South Australis join the other Colonies in the Pacific Cable project, and having regard to their vested interests in the transcontinental line, Dr. Cockburn be invited to make a proposition, embodying the terms on which the South Australian Government would be prepared to join the other Colonies in the said project.
The Hon. Dr. Cockburn intimated the following as the proposal of the South Australian Govern- ment, viz. :-South Australia is willing to join in the project provided that a guarantee, either from the contributing Colonies alone or jointly with the Imperial Government, be given, that the financial position of South Australia as regards the Port Darwin line be maintained on the basis of the average of the last five years.
The Hon. Mr. Reeves stated that he had received a cable from the Hon. Mr. Ward with regard to the terms on which the New Zealand would come in as a contributing Colony to the effect that of course it would be very disadvantageous to New Zealand to come in on an equally responsible footing with the other three colonies; at the same time. Mr. Ward would be prepared to give way and do so, annexing, however, the stipulation that Victoria and New South Wales should join with New Zealand in facing any possible loss on the present cable.
6. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Colonies joining contribute equally to the under-
taking.
(The Hon. Dr. Cockburn and the Hon. Mr. Reeves refrained from voting on the above.) 7. That, in the opinion of this Conference, in consideration of South Australia joining with the other contributing Colonies in the Pacific Cable project, they would be willing, jointly with Great Britain, to guarantee that Colony against further loss in connexion with their trans- continental line in consequence of the construction of the new cable.
8. That, in the opinion of this Conference, Sir Sau! Samuel, K.C.M.G., C.B., and the Hon. Duncan Gillies be nominated as representatives of the Australasian Colonies on the Commission in connection with the Pacific Cable, and that they be requested to consult on all important points the Agents-General for the Australasian Colonies.
9. That, in the opinion of this Conference, it be a recommendation to the Governments represented at this Conference to forward the foregoing resolutions to the Australasian Commissioners.
It was arranged that the President should communicate the above by cable to the London Post Office.
Appended to this report will be found:-
Minutes of Proceedings of the Conference.
Memo. showing the present position of the Federal Mail Service matter.
Transcript of notes of shortband writer of the proceedlings.
Signed on behalf of New Zealand,
W. P. REEVES (per J.C.). Signed on behalf of Queensland,
A. J. THINNE. Signed on behalf of South Australia and Tasmania,
JOHN A. COCKBURN.
Signed on behalf of Victoria.
Signed on behalf of New South Wales,
JOHN GAVAN Duffy.
JOSEPH COOK.
Postal and Telegraphic Conference.
MINUTES OF Proceedings.
Friday, 17th January 1896.
The Conference was opened at the General Post Office, Sydney, at 2.30 p.m., when the under- mentioned gentlemen, representing the Colonies indicated herein, were present, viz. :-
<
New Zealand Queensland -
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
New South Wales
Hon. W. P. REEVES, New Zealand.
Hon. A. J. THYNNE, M.L.C., Postmaster-General, Queensland.
Hon. J. A. COCKBURN, M.D., M.P., Minister for Education and
Agriculture, South Australia.
Hon. J. GAVAN DUFFY, M.P., Postmaster-General, Victoria. Hon. JOSEPH COOK, M.P., Postmaster-General, New South Wales.
Moved by the Hon. J. Gavan Duffy, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Thynne," That the Hon. Joseph Cook, M.P., be President of this Conference." Carried.
The Hon. Mr. Cook thanked the representatives for the honour conferred.
It was determined, without formal motion, that the Conference being of a somewhat confidential character, it was not expedient that the press should be present.
Moved by the Hon. Mr. Thynne, M.P., and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Reeves, "That Mr. "James Dalgarno perform the duties of Secretary to this Conference." Carried.
The Hon. Mr. Cook laid before the Conference the following telegram, dated 16th January, that
had been received from the Hon. the Premier of Western Australia, re the appointment of Dr. Cockburn as representative of Western Australia, viz. :—
"This Government has appointed Dr. Cockburn to represent this Colony at the Postal Conference on two points:-First, the Pacific Cable question to the following extent, viz., that we are in favour of one Commissioner being appointed to represent South Australia and West Australia. Second, to give this Colony's vote in favour of the views expressed by me at the Hobart Conference, which were to the effect that this Government supports the Imperial Government in regard to coloured labour and cold storage as applied to mail steamers. Please communicate this telegram to the Postal Conference.
JNO. FORREST, Premier."
The Hon. Mr. Cockburn intimated that he had also been requested to represent Tasmania. The President opened the Conference in a brieť address, indicating the order of business, which placed the Pacific Cable matter as the first to be considered, to be followed by the question of the Federal Mail Service.
Proposed Pacific Cable.
After a lengthy discussion the following resolutions were arrived at :—
(1.) Moved by the Hon. Mr. Gavan Duffy, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Thynne, "That, in "the opinion of this Conference, the Pacific Cable should be constructed and owned
jointly by the various Governments interested." Carried unanimously,
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(2.) Moved by the Hon. Mr. Reeves, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Thynne,—"That, in the opinion of this Conference, the landing places of such cable should be only upon Carried territory belonging to or under the control of the British Empire." unanimously.
(3.) Moved by the Hon. Mr. Thynne, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Gavan Duffy,-" That, in the opinion of this Conference, the cost of its construction, working, and maintenance be borne in the following proportions, namely:-Great Britain, one-third; the Dominion of Canada, one-third; and the contributing Australasian Colonies, one- third." Carried.
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(4) Moved by the Hon. Mr. Gavan Duffy, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Cook,-" That, in the opinion of this Couference, the route from Fiji to Australia be to Norfolk Island, thence bifurcating to the nearest convenient landing places in the north of New Zealand "and Moreton Bay respectively." Carried unanimously.
(5.) Moved by the Hon. Mr. Cook, and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Duffy," That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is highly desirable that South Australia join the other Colonies in the Pacific Cable project; and having regard to their vested interests in "the transcontinental line, Dr. Cockburn be invited to make a proposition embodying the terms on which the South Australian Government would be prepared to join the "other Colonies in the said project." Carried.
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The Conference adjourned at 6.15 p.m. to the following day (Saturday), at 9.30 a.m.
JAMES DALGARNO,
Secretary to Conference.
JOSEPH COOK,
President.
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