A.—7

3

Interested in the proposed new cable-line to the extent of the other colonies, and for other reasons explained in a speech recorded in the proceedings of the Conference. Moved by the Hon. Mr. Foster, seconded by Sir Henry Wrixon, and resolved, "That the Imperial Government be respectfully requested to undertake at the earliest possible moment, and to prosecute with all possible speed, a thorough survey of the proposed cable route between Canada and Australia, the expense to be borne in equal proportions by Great Britain, Canada, and the Australasian Colonies." Moved by Sir Charles Mills, seconded by Sir Henry de Villiers, and resolved, " That it is for the interest of the Empire that, in case of the construction of the cable between Canada and Australasia, such cable should be extended from Australasia to the Cape of Good Hope, and that for that purpose arrangements should be made between the Imperial and South African Governments for a survey of the latter route." Moved by the Hon. Mr. Thynne, seconded by Sir Henry Wrixon, and resolved, "That the Canadian Government be requested, after the rising of this Conference, to make all necessary inquiries, and generally to take such steps as may be expedient, in order to ascertain the cost of the proposed Pacific cable, and promote the establishment of the undertaking in accordance with the views expressed in this Conference." The foregoing resolutions bearing directly on the establishment of a Pacific cable were passed unanimously, and affirm the principles : — (a.) That immediate steps should be taken to provide telegraphic connection by cable, free from foreign control, between the Dominion of Canada and Australasia. (b.) That the Imperial Government be respectfully requested to undertake at the earliest possible moment, and to prosecute with all possible vigour, a thorough survey, the expense to be borne in equal proportions by Great Britain, Canada, and the Australasian Colonies. (c.) That, in the interest of the Empire, any cable between Canada and Australasia should be extended to the Cape of Good Hope. (d.) That, in case it should be found advisable to adopt a route via the Hawaiian islands, the British Government should be moved to take immediate steps to secure neutral landinggrounds on some of the said islands. (c.) That the Canadian Government should take steps to ascertain the cost of construction of a cable between Canada and Australia. The Minister desires to call special attention to the resolution in which the Government is " requested to take immediate steps to secure neutral landing-grounds on some of the Hawaiian islands, in order that the cable may," should that route be adopted, "remain permanently under British control," and respectfully suggests, in view of the desirability of action being taken at the earliest possible moment, that the Home Government be requested to send a special Commissioner or Commissioners to Hawaii for the purpose of securing by negotiation some one of the islands in that group upon which a cable could be landed. The Minister ventures the opinion that such a course would prove more effective in securing the concession desired than any other which might be adopted. 9. The Minister further desires to draw attention to the hope expressed by the Conference that the Imperial authorities will undertake and complete without delay all necessary surveys of the proposed route between Canada and Australasia, upon the terms set forth in the resolution passed upon that subject. 10 A fast and efficient mail-service between England and Australia, via Canada, being considered of such vital importance to the success of any scheme having for its ultimate object the widest possible interchange of commodities between the colonies and the full and complete unity of the Empire, the members of the Conference, after much deliberation, embody their views in the following resolutions, to the importance of which the Minister asks the earnest and favourable consideration of the Imperial Government: — Moved by Sir Adolphe Caron, seconded by Hon. P. B. Suttor, — (a.) " That this Conference expresses its cordial approval of the successful efforts put forth by Canada and New South Wales for the establishment of a regular monthly steam-service between Vancouver and Sydney, and affirms the advisability of the reasonable co-operation of all the colonies interested in securing the improvement and permanence of the same. (b.) " That the Conference learns with interest of the steps now being taken by Canada to secure a first-class fast mail- and passenger-service, with all the modern appliances for the storage and carrying of perishable goods across the Atlantic to Great Britain and the large subsidy which she has offered to procure its establishment. (c.) " That it regards such an uninterrupted through line of swift and superior communication between Australasia and Great Britain as is above contemplated as of paramount importance to the development of intercolonial trade and communication and to the unity and stability of the Empire as a whole. (d.) " That, as the Imperial Post Office contributes towards the cost of the mail-service between England and Australia via Brindisi or Naples the sum of £95,000 per annum, while the sea-postage amounts only to £3,000, and to the mail-service between Vancouver and Japan and China £45,000, less £7,300 charged against the Admiralty, this Conference deems it but reasonable to respectfully ask that assistance be given by the Imperial Government to the proposed fast Atlantic and Pacific service, more particularly as the British Post Office, whilst paying the large subsidy of £104,231 a year to the line from Liverpool to New York, has so far rendered no assistance in the maintenance of a direct postal line between Great Britain and Canada." 11. That the following resolution relating to bankruptcy and winding-up of companies was, on the motion of Sir Henry Wrixon, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Fitzgerald, unanimously passed : " That this Conference desires to call the continued attention of their respective Governments to