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over-rate, either from a political or commercial point of view. commerce and its relation to the movements of our great mercantile marine, both the In regard to our enormous one and the other are more or less controlled and influenced by our marine system. The economy in the working of ships is very great indeed; and in commercial transactions there are few of any magnitude which do not involve the forwarding aml receiving of telegraphic messages.
These circumstances show that it is of great importance that the control of the telegraphs should be, as far as possible, in British hands; while it is of equal importance that the tariffs should be as low as it is possible to make them.'
51. I will now direct attention to a proposal to connect Canada and Australia by cable, upon which subject papers will be circulated to you.
52. The question of connecting Australia with Canada by cable, and so affording an alternative means of communication beyond those supplied by the Eastern Extension Telegraph, has been from time to time mentioned in connexion with the Canadian Pacific Railway, but it was first brought formally to the notice of Her Majesty's Govern- ment on the 29th of July 1886, by a letter from the High Commissioner for Canada. This letter, together with a report by the Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs, New South Wales, dated the 31st of March 1886, will be found among the papers I am about to lay before you.
The scheme is opposed by the companies which own the existing telegraph lines communicating with Australia, and on the 28th of January of this year I received from Mr. Pender a letter enclosing copies of letters and memoranda, which will also be found among the papers, suggesting that a reduction of the existing tariff charges might be cffected upon a guarantee from the Colonies. The promoter's scheme alluded to by Mr. Pender has not been communicated to Her Majesty's Government, and his own figures appear to be but a very rough estimate. They furnish, however, the only information I possess upon the matter.
53. A very strong case would have to be made out to justify Her Majesty's Govern- ment in proposing to Parliament to provide a subsidy for maintaining a cable in competi- tion with a telegraphic system which at any rate supplies the actual needs of the Imperia! Government.
54. I fear that at the present stage I can only invite the Australasian and Canadian members of the Conference to favour Her Majesty's Government with their views generally upon the scheme for laying a cable across the Pacific from Vancouver to some point in one of the Australasian Colonies.
55. The Australasian representatives will perhaps further consider, and favour Iler of existing Majesty's Government with their views upon, the general proposal to have a reduction of
existing tariff' charges under a guarantee from the Colonics.
tariff under guarantee.
Political questions.
Pacific islands
New Hebrides.
Samoa,
56. But besides these special subjects referred to by my predecessor, several others may be advantageously discussed.
57. There are some for example of a political character. These must be treated with moderation, but it is an advantage on the one hand that Her Majesty's Government should be brought directly face to face with the opinions of the leading men of the Colonial Governments, and that they, on the other hand, should recognise the position, often a very delicate one, of Her Majesty's Government, and learn the reasons for their action or inaction.
58. Let me refer to an important question, that of the Pacific islands, which received so much consideration in the Federal Council which sat about a year ago. Upon a question of this. kind full information is naturally desired, and subject to political necessities, it is right that such information should be given by the Imperial to the Colonial Governments.
59. The position of the French in the New Hebrides has been, and not unnaturally, a burning question, and a good deal of dissatisfaction has been freely expressed. trust that the statement, which I shall make to the Conference on a future day, will show that although the negotiations have not been completed, due care has been taken to secure the independence of the
group.
60. Papers will also be laid before the Conference showing the position of affairs with respect to Samoa.
But I may state now that it has been agreed that a Conference shall be held at Washington, at which the three Powers of Great Britain, Germany, and the United States will be represented; and it is confidently expected that an arrangement will be arrived at by which due provision will be made for preserving the independence of the group of islands, and for securing to each power full freedom of commerce, navi- gation, and jurisdiction in matters affecting its nationals. Her Majesty's Government will further urge the establishment of a joint land court, for ascertaining and securing,
15
as far as may be practicable, the land claims of all persons of whatever nationality. Upon these and similar questions I refrain to-day from going into details, as full discus- sion will be invited at the subsequent meetings of the Conference.
61. I sincerely hope also that a full discussion with those Australasian members of New Guinea. the Conference, who are interested in New Guinea, will result in a satisfactory settle- ment of the questions connected with that island. On a future day I shall be in a position to state the decision of Her Majesty's Government; the terms upon which they will advise that Her Majesty's sovereignty be proclaimed; and the contribution they are prepared to make. The scheme for the administration of the country, for which a good basis of settlement is to be found in Sir S. Griffith's proposals, will have to be discussed and settled.
Newfound-
62. Passing to the other hemisphere, we have Canadiau and fishery questions of great Canada d and vital importance to those countries.
land.
fisheries.
63. With respect to the Dominion fisheries, it would be manifestly inexpedient for me to do more than state that Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the Canadian Government of the United States, and that they trust that the negotiations may result in an equitable and satisfactory adjustment of the difficulties. I desire, however, to recognise the readiness which the Dominion Government have shown to meet the views of Her Majesty's Government, and to facilitate an arrangement of this question.
land
('. 4796,
61. With respect to Newfoundland, the reasons which weighed with Her Majesty's Newfound Government in not allowing the Bait Bill to come into operation for the present fishing fisheries. season have been fully stated in my despatch of the 3rd of February last; but additional statistics which have been recently furnished point clearly to the great loss inflicted on Feb., 1887. the Colonial trade by the system of bounties given by the French Government. These facts will of course receive the careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government, who will have the advantage of a full discussion of the subject with Sir Ambrose Shea and Mr. Thorburn.
65. There are several questions of importance respecting the position of affairs in South Africa, South Africa, upon which Her Majesty's Government desire a full discussion with the representatives of the Cape Colony and Nátal. Any proposal which would tend to advance a general settlement of those affairs, and thus to avoid future complications and difficulties, shall be carefully considered.
66. Connected with this subject is the defence of Table Bay, a matter necessarily of Table Bay. great interest to the representatives of the Cape of Good Hope, and indeed to many other members of this Conference. I will now only say that the matter has received careful consideration, and I hope very shortly, and before the Conference is closed, to be able to present to those representatives proposals on the part of Her Majesty's Government for the joint defence of that important station, thus providing a safe base for naval operations as well as a secure harbour for the commercial marine of the Empire.
67. Reverting again to questions of more general interest, I would refer in the first Enforcement place to a matter which has received some consideration, namely, the enforcement of of Colonial Colonial judgments in the United Kingdom, and upon which papers will be laid before in United judgments
Kingdom.
you.
The trading relations of the United Kingdom with the Colonies are so vast and important, and their greater development is so much to the benefit of both, that any obstacle to their free exercise deserves careful investigation with a view to removal, if such a course be possible and justifiable. Lord Stanley of Preston and Lord Granville viewed with favour a suggestion which had been made for providing by legislation an easy method of enforcing in this country judgments of Colonial courts, withcut putting the Colonial judgment creditor to the expense and trouble of further litigation, as is now A Bill has been prepared and will be laid before you, but it has been suggested by the Lord Chancellor that such legislation, if adopted at all, should be made reciprocal. Members of this Conference will have an opportunity of reading the papers, and stating whether, in their opinion, the Colonies which they represent would wish that a measure of this nature should be proposed to the Imperial Parliament, and would be prepared to pass similar laws for the enforcement within the Colonies of the judg- ments of the superior courts of the United Kingdom, and for the adoption of a similar principle in bankruptcy matters and orders under the Joint Stock Companies Acts.
the case.
As connected with this subject, there is the further question of resealing Colonial probates, upon which the views of the Conference are also desired.
68. Papers will also be laid before you respecting the employment of naval and Employment military officers by Colonial Governments. Rules have been agreed to by the of naval and Treasury as to the pay and pension of such officers, which involve an important officers in
military
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