A.—3

At the Treasury, Sydney, 7th February, 1873. Present : Neio South Wales : The Hon. Henry Parkea. South Australia : The Hon. Sir Henry Ayers. The Hon. Saul Samuel. The Hon. J. H. Barrow. New Zealand: The Hon. Julius Vogel. Tasmania : The Hon. F. M. Innes. The Hon. W. H. Eeynolds. The Hon. J. M. Wilson. Queensland: The Hon. A. H. Palmer. Victoria .- The Hon. J. Q-. Francis. The Hon. J. M. Thompson. The Hon. E. Langton. Western Australia : The Hon. F. P. Barlee. The Conference having met at half-past 10 o'clock, the minutes of the proceedings on the 6th instant were read and confirmed. 1. The consideration of Mr. Palmer's resolutions on the subject of Telegraphic Communication with Europe by Singapore and Norman Mouth was resumed, and after discussion, the first paragraph, as amended, was put by the Chairman, and carried, on the following division :—• Ayes. Noes. Mr. Vogel, Sir Henry Ayers, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Barleo. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Samuel, and The Chairman. The resolution was accordingly agreed to, as follows : —" That in view of the serious inconvenience ■which would arise to the whole of the Australasian Colonies in the event of interruption to telegraphic communication with Europe, it is desirable that a cable should be constructed between Singapore and the terminus of the Queensland telegraph lines at Norman Mouth." The representatives of Victoria and Tasmania declined to vote. The further consideration of the said resolutions was postponed until Monday next. 2. Mr. Samuel asked Mr. Vogel if he would have any objection to lay on the table the following information: —" (1.) The number of days occupied by Mr. Webb's steamers between California and New Zealand in both directions, on the last sis voyages. (2.) The number of days which the steamer now expected was overdue when the ' Hero' left Auckland." Mr. Vogel consented to do so. 3. Mr. Vogel moved, and Mr. Barlee seconded, the following resolution, which was unanimously agreed to : —" That this Conference, representing the Governments of the several Australasian Colonies, desire to express to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State their willingness and anxiety to co-operate with the Imperial Government in the acquisition or construction of through lines of telegraphic communication between Great Britain, India, and Australasia." It was also unanimously resolved by the Conference that Messrs. Langton and Vogel be appointed a Committee to prepare a memorial to the Secretary of State embodying the said resolution. The Conference adjourned at 1 o'clock until a quarter to 2. 4. On reassembling, Mr. Wilson gave notice of the following motion:—" That this Conference takes into consideration on Monday next the advisability of memorializing the Home Government on the subject of assuming the protectorate and colonization of the Fiji Islands." 5. Mr. Langton proposed, and Sir Henry Ayers seconded, the following resolutions :— (1.) ".That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is desirable to obtain a reduction in the charge for telegrams between the United Kingdom, India, and Australia, and that the Imperial Government be requested to join with the Colonies in a temporary subsidy, not exceeding £25,000 per annum, for the purpose of securing that object. (2.) " That the Governments of South Australia and Victoria be requested to take the necessary steps to give effect to the foregoing resolution." Mr. Vogel proposed the following amendment at the end of the first resolution, which, on being put from the Chair, was negatived on the following division:—" Provided that, in addition, a free message of fifty words per diem from London to Australia be furnished." Ayes. Noes. Mr. Francis, Mr. Langton, Mr. Vogel, Sir Henry Ayers, Mr. Eeynolds. Mr. Palmer, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Barlee, Mr. Samuel. The original resolutions were then put and carried. The"Conference adjourned at half-past 3 o'clock, until Monday, 10th February, at a quarter to 12 o'clock. Henet Paekes, Chairman.

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