PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
9
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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PACIFIC CABLE COMMITTEE:
The Hon. Dr. Cockburn: Four names have been mentioned. Let it be distinctly understood before the personnel is agreed upon that they are to act in conjunction with the Agents-General, and to consult them with reference to matters brought before the Commission.
The Hon. Mr. Reeves: I am indifferent on that point.
The Hon. Mr. Thynne: Apparently my proposition is not received.
The Hon. Mr. Reeves: I would say at once it would suit our Colony perfectly-Lord Jersey and Sir Edwyn Dawes. I am prepared to support that.
The Hon. Mr. Thynne: Men are wanted with special training in the management of large undertakings such as they have had. Those are the views of my Government,
The Hon. Mr. Duffy: My Government is very strong on the point of the two Agents-General. They are capable men, in full touch with the Colonies, and if they are directed to consult with the Agents-General of Australasia, these would have control over them, which could not be in the case of As regards Lord Jersey he is an admirable man, but probably Lord Jersey or Sir Edwyn Dawes.
the Home Government will appoint him as one of their own Commissioners. Sir Saul Samuel and Mr. Duncan Gillies are familiar with the affairs of the Colonies, and the Parliaments of the Colonies have after all to be consulted over these things. It would facilitate matters if, when things are discussed, our interests are looked after by men in touch with ourselves. My Government is very strong about that.
The Hon. Mr. Reeves: Do we wish to interfere with the Commissioners after they are appointed other than by general directions? They go in to probe matters to the bottom and give their own opinion.
The Hon. Mr. Cook: There will still be the acceptance or rejection after a scheme has been prepared. Supposing you have your own Agente-General to consult, you could say to them what you could not say to an outsider "If this is carried in a certain way we cannot join the under- taking." If you had independent Commissioners who would be diaposed to take an Imperial as against a Colonial view of a matter, it would be very much more difficult. That is the feeling. Imperial considerations may conflict with Colonial, and as the policies in that respect of England and the Colonies differ very materially on some points, it would be an advantage to have people directly under our own control to whom we can talk freely. Here is another reason I put it to you in all candour: Sir Saul Samuel is now old; he has been there 13 or 14 years; he has done our business so splendidly that he has acquired a sort of proprietary right in his office; it might be that younger men would have more energy, but it would not be a gracious action in his old age to snub him in any way, or to make an invidious distinction. We feel that if the matter were referred to the Agents- General themselves, Mr. Gillies and Sir Saul Samuel would be selected as being the senior.
The Hon. Mr. Reeves: The question is, are we called upon to decide on the ground of seniority? I would much sooner be in a position to talk on this matter without my remarks being taken down.
After a time,-
(Shorthand writer requested to stop notetaking.)
The Hon. Mr. Thynne: To bring the matter to a point, I formally move, "That Lord Jersey and Sir Edwyn Dawes be nominated as the representatives."
The Hon. Mr. Reeves seconded.
The Hon. Mr. Cook: Put it "That Lord Jersey and Sir Edwyn Dawes be the two Commissionere 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 Agents General) remove very much the difficulty I would otherwise feel in voting for it, and I am bound to be swayed 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 con- nexion 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. Reeves: I could not vote for that. I do not know what view our Government may As a matter of courtesy, I think what we do here take of our action here. Some may
dissent.
should be communicated to our Governments. Ought we to take upon ourselves the responsibility of sending these resolutions on to the 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 I am 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.
PAPERS.
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The main resolution (The Hon. Mr. Cook's) was then carried, and it was understood that the other delegate 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 recom- "mendations they may make, to take into consideration the outlay incurred by South and Western Sir John Forrest "Australia in providing telegraphic communication with the outside world." authorised me to represent Western Australia only on one point, but I do 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 asked not to take down remarks at this stage.)
Subsequently the Hon. Dr. Cockburn's resolution was read.
The Hon. Dr. Cook: Is that necessary?
The Hon. Dr. Cockburn: Well, I would like to move it; but if it does not meet with general cousent I will not press it.
The Hon. Mr. Thynne: 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 the respective Govern- ments, 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 Govern- ments, and we had better have an explanatory report.
up
The Hon. Mr. Thynne: If you have a report of that kind, of course it would have to be brought
and considered.
The Hon. Mr. Reeves: I move, "That it be a recommendation to the Governments represented at this Conference to forward the foregoing resolutions to the Australian Commissioners." Carried.
? press The Hon. Mr. Duffy: What about the
The Hon. Mr. Reeves: I suppose they ought to get the resolutious 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. Reeves: 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 12.30 p.m.
III. Correspondence.
No. 1.
Put in by Mr. Lucas.
THE TELEGRAPH CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE COMPANY to MR. MERCER.
DEAR SIR,
I
Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, Limited,
Offices, 38, Old Broad Street,
London, E.C., July 3, 1896.
In accordance with the request contained in your confidential letter of the 16th June 1896. now hand you a complete specification of the types of cable which we consider to be most suitable for laying between Vancouver and Fanning Island. The types for the other sections would be very similar to these, but the cores would be smaller as the lengths are less; they could easily be determined when the exact route is decided upon.
We have calculated the distance from Vancouver to Fanning as 3,316 nautical miles, and have allowed 10 per cent. as the probable amount of slack that would be paid out, making the total length of this section 3,050 nautical miles. The principal question to decide is the weight of
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