THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2171, 5 March 1891, Page 1

THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Sydney, March 2. ; At the Postal Convention to-day a motion requesting the Cable Company to reduce the cost of Press messages about the Convention to one-half was carried. The discussion on the Eastern Extension Cable agreetnentwas resumed. ! The Hon. J. G. Ward said his Government were not favorable to joining the othe colonies in paying the cost of the reduced cable tariff and there was nothing in the proposed agreement that would warrant the colony joining. He traversed,the former speeches-at length and denied that New Zealand bad been ftoilty of selfishness. On the other.band New Zealand had been liberal t-> excels, and had contributed £SOOO to the Sydney cable for over eliven years, while New South Wales only subsidised it by £2500, and ether colonies paid nothing. He said;New Zealand would not adopt a similar policy, nor did she wish to take advantage of the cheap cable rats at the iexpense of other colonies. New Zealand, from a money point of view, occupied an entirely different position from the other colonies, He explained it would cost New Zealand £25,000 to enter the arrangement,.and was doubtful ;if the estimated increase of traffic wou'd ,reach 20 per cent. If the colony entered for one year it would be difficult to at the end of that term. The eoßt of cables from New Zealand amounted to £37,000 last year, and as' Government advocate miking postal reductions in their own colony involving many thousands, they could not see their way to subsidise the cable also. Although New Zealand was prosperous she was opposed'to extravagance and luxuries, and was determined to live within her resources and abstain from further borrowing, He did not cry " poor mouth," as was suggested by some of the eprakers. Quite the contrary, for the colony's excess of exports over imports was more than eight and three-quarter millions, a result which was unequalled in the history of any colony. In conclusion, Mr Ward wished succe.BS.to the other colonies which bad adopted the scheme.

Mr D. O'Connor, Postmaster-General of New South Wales, referring to Mr Ward's remarks re the Sydney-New Zealand cable, said that bis Government bad subsidised the cable to the extent of £2OOO oat of friendliness and in order ito bring New Zealand out of her isolation. The cable itself was no advantage to New South Wales. He believed that under the proposed cheap tariff the traffic would ißcrease 50 per cent. He regretted that the Imperial Government had not joined in defraying the cost. Mr O'Connor said in order to meet tbe wishes of tbe objectors be would suggest the foregoing of the payment of a subsidy, and that tbe colonies now standing out should only guarantee the loss (if any) on tbe redaction of tbe rates.