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The Washington Congress. As to the ratification of Washington Congress, and consideration of the various Conventions entered into at Washington but not signed by the Australasian Delegate : Hon. John Gavan .Duffy moved, — " That this Conference recommend to the Governments of Australasia the ratification of the Treaty entered into at Washington, at the last Universal Postal Congress. " That the Sub-Committee of Permanent Heads be requested to report to the Conference : — Ist. On the several matters left optional by the principal Treaty. 2nd. On the various subsidiary Treaties entered into by some Administrations at Washington, but not signed by the Australasian Delegate." It was resolved that the second part of the Motion should be first considered, and the question was put from the Chair, — " That the Sub-Committee of Permanent Heads be requested to report to the Conference :— Ist. On the several matters left optional by the principal Treaty. 2nd. On the various subsidiary Treaties entered into by some Administrations at Washington, but not signed by the Australasian Delegate." Hon. J. R. Dickson seconded. After discussion • Hon. J. Gavan Duffy asked leave to amend his Motion, by adding after the word "Conference," in the first line, "Ist. On the effect of the Australasian Colonies of the proposed reductions, (a) Territorial; (b) Maritime." Leave having been given, the Amendment was agreed to, and the words inserted. The Motion, as amended, was then put as follows : — " That the Sub-Committee of Permanent Heads be requested to report to the Conference:— Ist. On the effect to the Australasian Colonies of the proposed reductions, (a) Territorial; (b) Maritime. 2nd. On the several matters left optional by the principal Treaty. 3rd. On the various subsidiary Treaties entered into by some Administrations at Washington, but not signed by the Australasian Delegate." The Motion was agreed to. Hon J. Gavan Duffy moved, — " That the first part of the original Motion, That this Conference recommend to the Governments of Australasia the ratification of the Treaty entered into at Washington, at the last Universal Postal Congress, stand an Order of the Day for next day." Hon. J. G. Jenkins seconded. Carried. Representation at Washington. Hon. Joseph Cook asked leave to move a Resolution without Notice. Leave having been given • Hon. Joseph Cook moved, — "That this Conference hereby records its appreciation of the zealous and able manner in which the Hon. J. Gavan Duffy, Postmaster-General of Victoria, discharged the duty of representing Australasia at the Washington Postal Convention." Hon. J. R. Dickson seconded. The Motion was put and carried. Hon. J. Gavan Duffy thanked the Conference for the Motion. ... Telegraphic. The following Orders were called on and discharged, being made Orders of the Day for next day : — Subjects referred to Ministers : — (b) (65.) Alternative Cable Route. (N.S.W. 23.) (c) (66.) Pacific Cable. (Q. 21.) (d) (67.) Overland Telegraph Line, South Australia. (Q. 13.) Report of Sub-Committee. The Conference proceeded to consider the Report of the Sub-Committee of Permanent Heads of Departments on questions of detail submitted to them. The Secretary read the following paragraphs, which were agreed to with slight Amendments. The numbers are those used in the original Memorandum of Subjects to be discussed :—