168

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

"1. That any scheme of ocean postal communication agreed upon by this Conference should, in
providing for the general convenience, be so adapted to special interests as to secure the concurrence
and support of all the associated Colonies.
"2. That any such scheme will be valuable to each of the Colonies in proportion to the number of
points of commercial intercourse which it shall be made to include, consistently with expedition and
regularity of conveyance between Great Britain and Australia.
"3. That the facilities for the transmission of merchandise and for passenger traffic ought not to
be overlooked as collateral advantages.
"4. That the advantage of more rapid telegraphic communication by way of Torres Straits
commends that route to the favorable consideration of the Conference.
"5. That the contributions of the associated Colonies to the cost of any such general scheme
should be proportioned, not so much by calculations of the actual population or the post office
correspondence, as on the basis of a compromise of interests and preferences in view of a common
federal object.
"6. That, considering our political connection as dependencies of the Crown, and the interest of
Great Britain as a commercial nation in the trade and progress of the Colonies, one-half of the cost of
any such aggregate scheme ought to be borne by the Imperial Government.
"7. That in the proposed federal action, the Colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, and New
Zealand are considered as possessing equal interests, which may be approximately estimated as
follows:-
Victoria.—On the basis of population and commerce, with her general interest in Australian
progress, and her special interest in the maintenance of the Suez route, from her
undoubted priority of advantages derived from it.
New South Wales.—On the basis of population and commerce and the same general interest,
with her supposed greater interest in the Panama route.
New Zealand.—On the same basis of individual and general interest, with her undoubted
priority of advantages in communication via Panama.
"8. That the interests of Queensland, governed by her geographical situation, require a special
service which does not present any considerable postal advantages to the other Colonies, but that it is
not desirable that Queensland should be disunited from the other Colonies in the settlement of this
question.
"9. That the Colonies of South Australia and Tasmania will be least affected by the proposed
adjustment of the existing postal arrangements.
"10. That, in order to establish a postal system affording regular fortnightly communication by
three lines, via Brisbane and Torres Straits to Singapore, via Melbourne and South Australia to Suez,
and via New Zealand to Panama, with the necessary branch services, the six Colonies represented at
this Conference should contribute a moiety, not exceeding £200,000, of the total cost, in the following
proportions, viz. :-
Victoria ... ... ... One-fourth.
New South Wales ... ... ... One-fourth.
New Zealand ... ... ... One-fourth.
Queensland ... ... ... One-seventh.
South Australia ... ... ... One-twelfth.
Tasmania ... ... ... One fiftieth.
"11. That it is expedient that the six Colonies represented at this Conference should act in concert
in urging these views, and should join in a Memorial to Her Majesty, setting forth the mutual
advantages to be derived by Great Britain and Australia from their adoption."

The meeting then adjourned, at 2 p.m., until 11 a.m. on Thursday, 14th March, 1867.
JAMES MCCULLOCH.

THURSDAY, 14TH MARCH, 1867.
Present :
Victoria ... ... The Hon. James McCulloch, Queensland ... The Hon. A. Macalister,
" ... The Hon. J. F. Verdon. " ... The Hon. St. George R. Gore.
New South Wales The Hon. H. Parkes, Tasmania ... The Hon. T. D. Chapman.
" ... The Hon. J. Docker. New Zealand ... The Hon. J. Hall,
South Australia... The Hon. J. P. Boucaut, " ... Crosbie Ward, Esq.
" ... The Hon. W. Duffield.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed—
It was proposed by Mr. Ward, and seconded by Mr. Verdon, That in the absence of a representa-
tive from Western Australia, the contribution of that Colony to the postal service remain as
heretofore.
Carried unanimously.

It was proposed by Mr. Docker, and seconded by Mr. Parkes, That, in the opinion of this
Conference, it is expedient that the Colonies in combination should undertake to contract for all
Australian services requisite to carry out the resolutions adopted by this Conference, in accordance
with the suggestions contained in the Treasury Minute of the Imperial Government of 4th September,
1866.
Carried unanimously.

NOTICES OF MOTION.

1. Mr. Chapman gave notice that at the next meeting of the Conference he will move, That the
   contract for the main service or services be for seven (7) years certain, and that two years' notice of
   intention to discontinue be given at the expiration of such term.