Postal Conference.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 184, 4 February 1895, Page 3

Postal Conference.

(Per Press Association). Hobaet, February 2. -'■ ' Mr Thyune (Queensland) moved a resolution regarding the Pacific cable in a ' length* speech. He went ia to the history "iapvement as placed before the Ottawa Conference. •"' Mr Ward (N Z ) seconded the motion pro forms, but in doing so said he was unable to support the resolution as he was of opiDion that Great Britain had not done all she should have in the matter. He had heard a suggestion that New Zealand was to be thrown overboard by the Other colonies so far as the present low rates were concerned bnt he could assure the conference that if nis colony was left in the cold they were prepared to hit out lor themselves and at the same time do a great deal more than had already been •oggeßted New Zealand should do in the direction of securing a Pacific cable. The people of New Zealand were not going to be handicapped in the matter but in the meantime were prepared to stand in with tbe other colonies and give a share of the . guarantee He hoped that New Zealand would be treated fairly on this question, as he felt that the colon v approached it j from an entirely unselfish standpoint j His colony had no desire to make any condition about where the cable should toneh so long as New Zealand was placed on equal terms with other colonies. In I . regard to the use of the cable, he himself had a great desire to see a a cable estatolished across the Pacific, and he impressed i on the conference that such a cable, with ita attendant low rates, meant opening of J new marketß for produce and wonld give impetus to colonial trade. Generally the idea of the cable passing through British territory and bringing into touch with the important Pacific Islands was a great work for national, strategical, political and commercial uses which could not be over estimated. The motion was lost and an amend ment was carried merely reaffirming the motion of last conference of the desirableness of constructing the cable.