POSTAL CONFERENCE

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2908, 5 March 1891, Page 3

POSTAL CONFERENCE

# (UV EI.F.CTKIC TEI.EORAI'II.— COPYRIGHT.) SYUXJiv, March 2. At the Postal Conference to-day a motion, requesting the Cable Company to reduce the cost of Press messages anont the Conference toouelialf, wuh carried.

Thu discission on tlio Eastern Extension Gable agreement was resumed,

The Hon. J. G. AVnrd, Postinaster(ieneral of New Zeahtnd, said his Government were not favourable to joining the other colonies in paying tho cost of the reduced cable tarifl'. There was nothing in the proposed agreement that would warrant tlio colony in joining. The cost of cables from New Zealand amounted to JL'33,000 last year, mid as the Government advocated making postal reductions in its own colony, involving TiKJiiy thousands, they could not see their way to subsidise tho cable also. Although New Zealand was prosperous she wns opposed, to extravagance and luxuries, and was determined to live within her resources, and abstain from further borrowing. Ho did not cry '' poor mouth." as was suggested by some of

the speakers. Quito the contrary, for I lie colony's excess of exports over imports was more than eifjhl and tlireo-quarter millions, a result which was unequalled in the history of any colony. In conclusion, Mr Ward wished success to tho other colonic? which had adopted the sshemc.

Mr D, O'Connor, Postmastei-Gcue-rul of New South Wales, referring to Mr "Ward's romarks re the SydneyNo w Zealand cable, said, in oider to meet tho objector.s, he would suggest tlio foregoing of payment of a subsidy and that tho colonies now standing out should only guarantee the loss (if any) on the reduction of r.'.te.s.