2

6. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Colonies joining contribute equally to the undertaking. (The Hon. Dr. Cockburn and the Hon. Mr. Reeves refrained from voting on the above.) 7. That, in the opinion of this Conference, in consideration of South Australia joining with the other contributing Colonies in the Pacific Cable project, they would be willing, jointly with Great Britain, to guarantee that Colony against further loss in connection with their transcontinental line in consequence of the construction of the new cable. 8. That, in the opinion of this Conference, Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., C.8., and the Hon. Duncan Gillies be nominated as representatives of the Australasian Colonies on the Commission in connection with the Pacific Cable, and that they be requested to consult on all important points the A gents-General for the Australasian Colonies.* 9. That, in the opinion of this Conference, it be a recommendation to the Governments represented at this Conference to forward the foregoing resolutions to the Australasian Commissioners. RELATING TO THE PROPOSED NEW FEDERAL MAIL SERVICE. 10. This Conference, having considered the reply of the London office to the stipulation of the Hobart Conference Av~ith regard to the manning of the mail-boats by Avhite instead of coloured labour, recognises fully the force of the reason given by the Imperial Government against insisting on the exclusion of coloured labour, viz., the necessity of discriminating between various classes of British subjects, but in reply would respectfully point out that by some steamship companies the labour of the contribuiing Colonies is excluded from employment, and an invidious preference given to the labour of countries which do not contribute to the maintenance of the service. No injustice would thus be done by the stipulation that the labour of the countries subsidising the service only should be employed. And therefore this Conference is of opinion that the mails to and from Australia and Great Britain should be carried by ships manned with white crews only. The Conference concurs with the London office in the other . points raised in connection with the new mail tenders. It was arranged that the President should communicate the above by cable to the London Post Office.t Appended to this Report will be found : — Minutes of Proceedings of the Conference, Memo, showing the present position of the Federal Mail Service matter. Transcript of notes of Shorthand-writer of the Proceedings. Signed on behalf of New Zealand, W. P. REEVES {per J.C.) Signed on behalf of Queensland, A. J. TIIYNNE. Signed on behalf of South Australia and Tasmania, JOHN A. COCKBURN. Signed on behalf of Victoria, JOHN GAVAN DUFFY. Signed on behalf of New South Wales, JOSEPH COOK.

* Note.—On page 21 will be found the nature of the instructions cabled to London. It will be seen that it has been provided that any scheme submitted by the Pacific Cable Commission shall be subject to the approval of the Governments of the respective Australasian Colonies. t Note.—Subsequent telegraphic communications between the Postmaster-General of New South Wales (acting as President of the Intercolonial Postal and Telegraphic Conference) and the Postmaster-General, London, will be found on page 21.