THE INTER-COLONIAL CONFERENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 499, 10 November 1871, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE INTER-COLONIAL CONFERENCE

—o— Postal Services. The Conference of delegates from the Colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia Tasmania, and Queensland have adopted and signed a contract for two postal services with Europe, of which the following are the most important clauses:— 1. The above-mentioned colonies shall contribute towards the maintenance of two postal lines—the one between London and Sydney, by the way of Suez, and the other between London and Melbourne, by the way of San Francisco—a sum notexceeding 123,0002 peraunum,in the proportions following, based on the relative population of such colonies, namely: Victoria ... £54,958 13 3 New South Wales 37,827 9 5 South Australia 13,999 6 0 Queensland ... 8,G72 18 2 Tasmania ... 7,541 13 2 £123,000 0 0 This sum is fixed on the assumption that one-half the total cost of both services shall be borne by the Imperial Government. 2 Such contributions shall be naid subject to the conditions following;— 1. The mails shall be delivered both ways and on both routes within 48 days ; that is to say, from London to Sydney and from Sydney to London by way of Suez, within 48 days, and from London to Melbourne and from Melbourne to London, by the way of San Francisco, within 48 days. 2. The steamers running by way of Suez shall call both ways and receive and deliver mails at Glenelg (Holdfast Bay), in South Australia, and at Melbourne, in Victoria. 3. The steamers running by way of San Francisco shall call both ways and deliver and receive mails at. Moreton Island, in Queensland, and at Sydney, in New South Wales. 4. The time tables of the two lines shall be so arranged as to provide for the arrival and despatch of a mail every fortnight. 3. The colony of New Zealand shall be permitted to join in and enjoy the benefit of this agreement on undertaking to pay the proportion of the entire cost (£123,000) on the basis of population, and to provide any branch service neccessary to enable her to avail herself of the arrangement. The contributions of the colonies would then stand thus:— Victoria ...£17,492 11 2 New South Wales 32,088 12 9 South Australia 12,097 9 9 Queensland ... 7,494 14 0 Tasmania ... G,517 3 0 New Zealand ... 16,709 9 4 £123,000 0 0 4. In the event of a contribution being made by Western Australia, New Caledonia, the Sandwich Islands, or any other colony or country, towards the above services, or either of them, such contributions shall be applied to diminish the payments of the colonies entering into this agreement in the proportions in which they have hereby agreed to pay. 5. Any agreement made with the colony of New Zealand, or any other country or colony, to enable such colony or country to share in the advantages o-‘ this contract, shall be so framed as not to extend the time agreed upon within which mails are to be delivered in London and in Sydney and Melbourne.