POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2789, 29 May 1890, Page 2

POSTAL CONFERENCE.

■ + (BY ELECTRIC TKLEGKArH.—COPYRIGHT). Adelaide, May 27. Tiik Postal Conference passed a resolution in favour of reducing post-cards outside the colonies to twopence. A motion was carried, hoping the proposed cable reduction would come into operation from July 1. Mr 0. Powers, the Queensland representative, said his colony was in a position to construct a line from Burketown to Port Darwin, doing for £5000 what would coat South Australia £10,000. They were willing to join in anything that went in the direction of securing another cable. A motion was carried that any colony not joining in contributing a subsidy or guarantee should pay proportionately higher rates. The Eastern Extension Telegraph Company have agreed to a reduction in the cable tariff as adopted by the Postal Conference. The Postal Conference to-day received a cable from London signed by Sir Arthur Blyfch, Sir Saul Satnuol, Sir G. Berry, and Sir Dillon Hell, strongly urging acceptance of Sir John Pender's offer for reduced cable tariff, which is made conditionally on the South Australian Government accepting 5d as the transit rate. The AgentsGeneral express the opinion that the. terms are the best obtainable, and urge their final acceptance, so that they may inform the Telegraph Conference at Paris. A motion finally accepting the reductions was carried, and the Conference closed its sittings. [by telegraph—press association.] Wellington, Lust Night. The acceptance by the Postal Conference at Adelaide uf the schemo for guaranteeing the reduction of the cable rates will involve serious consideration by the Government of New Zealand. It appears very bitter feeling was manifested against this colony by some_ members on account of hitherto not joining in payment of subsidies to Australian cables. A resolution was passed that non-contributing colonies should pay higher rates than others, and on it being suggested that they might appoint an agent to receive messages, ■ and forward them on, some of the representatives said their Governments would pass an Act making such a tiling punishable. Rough calculation shows that New Zealand would have to guarantee about £6000, provided we are not asked to pay any portion of the subsidy for the duplicate cable to Western Australia. It does not follow that the whole of this amount or any of it would have to be paid, but unless the business increases, some portions of it would certainly have to bo handed over. The exact estimate will bo drawn up for the information of the Government, and when full information arrives from tho Conference, they will go into the matter and decide whether Parliament should be asked to take advantage of the cheapened rates and gire the necessary guarantee. It will probably be made a condition that the rates on the cable between here and Australia shall be lowered.