THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1691, 28 January 1888, Page 3

THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

At the Postal Conference ab Sydney on Wednesday, Sir William I'itzherbert, on behalf of the New Zealand Government;, made a statement expressing the views of the Government on the cable question. Sir William mentioned that under the old rates the Eastern Extension Cable Company had made a net profit of £4500 per annum, and tinder those circumstances the New Zealand Government <*eolined to swell the profits of the Company by agreeing to a renewal of the subsidy previously paid. New Zealand, he stated, favored the prosecution of the survey of the Paciflo route, and also urged that the offer made by the Canadian Governmentto provide a survey vessel, if the colonies interested shared the other expenses, should be accepted. When passing through Canada recently he was struck with the interest displayed in the Pacific cable. He suggested the advisability of the colonies considering the propriety of purchasing all existing oables, and it would be wise to stipulate in any agreement with the Paoific Cable Company for the right of tho colonies U acquire the cable at a stipulated prioe. He direoted the attention of the Conference to the oom. mercial benefits whioh would aeorue to the Australian oolonies from their connection by cable with America and the Pacific Islands. He said he was also authorised to state that New Zealand was prepared to co-operate with Australia in all national matters. After a lon* discussion, it w*s resolved on the motion of the Hon. Mr Deiham, Postmaster. General of Yiotoria:—(l) " That the several colonies should contribute in proportion to their population to the whole subsidies now paid to the cable company, including the New Zealand and Tasmanian lines, and that Great Britain should also be asked to contribute." (2) " That it is desir able that the proposed route of the Pacifio cable, via Vanoouver, be surveyed." (3) "That the reduction of the rates be con»idered." The representatives of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia dissented from the first resolution, and Sir W. Pitzherbert said that though he could not pledge the Government of New Zealand to it he would urge the Government to concur in it. The conference decided to levy contributions to the ocean mail subsidy on those colonies not in the new contract on the basis of population.