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Papers. The following Papers were tabled : — The Hon. Joseph Cook : Report on Palmrya and Fanning Islands, as to their suitability and capabilities as submarine cable stations, by Capt. A. M. Field, R.N., H.M.S. Penguin, 1897. Sir Charles Todd : Table showing contribution of the several Colonies to guarantees and subsidies, not including the duplicate cable subsidy ; also Return of International Telegraphic Traffic, 1889 to 1897. The Hon. Joseph Cook : Statistical Return of Telegraphs, New South Wales, for 1897. Printing Committee. Hon. Jno. Gavan Duffy moved, — " That the Hon. the President and the Hon. Joseph Cook be appointed a Printing Committee. Hon. J. R. Dickson seconded. Carried. Time of Meeting. Hon. J. R. Dickson moved,— " That this Conference meet for the despatch of business daily (Sundays excepted) from 1030 a.m. to 1 P.M., and from 2 to 5 p.m. Hon. Jno. Gavan Duffy seconded. Carried. Western Australia and New Zealand. The Hon. Jno. Gavan Duffy expressed regret that the Colonies of Western Australia ami New Zealand were not represented at the Conference by special Delegates, but trusted that the interests of Western Australia would be delegated to the South Australian Representatives. The Eight Hon. Mr. Seddon, the Premier of New Zealand, had sent him a telegram expressing sympathy with the objects of the Conference, and requesting to be kept informed by telegram as to the proceedings. The President instructed the Secretary to comply with the request. Order of Business. The following Paper was tabled and read by the Secretary : — MEMORANDUM of Subjects proposed to be discussed. Postal. 1. Proposed reduction from 2\d. to 2d. per of postage on letters passing in both directions between the United Kingdom and other parts of the British Empire. (N.S.W. 1), (Vie. 2), (Q. 4). 2. Proposal of Canada to reduce Postage on Letters to all parts of the British Empire from 5 cents to 3 cents. (Vie. 3), (Q 5). 3. Adoption of Uniform Letter Bills and furnishing Statistics of Intercolonial Correspondence. (Q.- 7 -). 4. Adoption of Uniform Letter Bills for mails exchanged between (a) the principal Offices of the Australasian Colonies, and (b) Border Post Offices. (N.S.W. 6.) 5. Australian Mails Way Bill. (S.A. 7.) 6. Reply Postage Stamp. (S.A. 10), (Q. 6). (a.) Merridew's Scheme. (b.) Maury's Scheme. 7. The use of the "Paid-at" stamp on correspondence on which postage has been paid in cash. (Vie. 9.) 8. Inland Postage Rates Local Delivery. (S.A. 8.) 9. Rates of Postage levied by Fiji on Patterns and Samples, and on Newspapers. (Vie. 23.) 10. lie Berne Bureau questioning the rates charged by the Australasian Colonies on International (a) Patterns and Samples, and (b) Newspapers. (N.S.W. 7), (Q. 12). 11. Samples of Glass, &c. Vide London letter. (S.A. 13), (N.S.W. 36). 12. The Postage to be charged on obliterated stamps and spent letters. (Vie. 10.) 13. Bankers' parcels : need for strictly enforcing Regulations relating thereto. (N.S.W. 10.) 14. The Intercolonial Packet Post to be limited to articles of no commercial or saleable value. (Q. 9.) 15. Practice of taxing "Officially" or " Compulsorily" registered International correspondence supposed to contain money or other valuable enclosure. (N.S.W. 11.) 16. Proposed amendment of Article 12 of the Australasian Postal Convention so far as it relates to "Travellers' " Cards or Circulars. (N.S.W. 15.)