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Eastern Extension Company. New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria desire to have the cable laid on the Canadian route. As the traffic to make it a profitable undertaking would have its source chiefly in these colonies, and, moreover, the land-lines within each colony are owned by each respective Government, they have it in their power to control the trans-Pacific telegraphic traffic to the extent required to make the cable a profitable undertaking. At this distance it is not easy to understand why these four colonies do not agree to take some definite line of action. It is now close on six months since the Premiers met in London, and, as far as known, they have not seen their way to agree on any joint proposal, owing doubtless to unexplained local difficulties. Under these circumstances it is not improper to consider if there be any duty or obligation resting on us in Canada. The Dominion is now looked up to as the elder brother in the British family of kindred nationalities. If as Canadians we have faith in our destiny as no inconsiderable element of the great Empire, are we not called upon again to take the initiative ? The Mothercountry awaits a proposal. It cannot well come from disunited Australasia. If we are to be brought within speaking-distance of the kindred communities in the southern seas thelfirst impulse must come from ourselves. Shall the opportunity which circumstances have presented be seized and another proof given to the world that " the Canadian Government and people are determined in all ways to promote Imperial unity ? " Sandford Fleming.

No. 12. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa. General Post Office, Wellington, 12th February, 1898. Sir, — Pacific Gable. I have the honour, by direction of the Right Hon. Mr. Seddon, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, and to thank you for the copy of your letter to the Premier of Canada, which you were so good as to send therewith. I have, &c, Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No 13. The Secretary, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, 17th February, 1898. I am directed to forward you copy of a resolution passed by this Chamber at a meeting held yesterday afternoon connected with the establishment of cable-communication with Great Britain and her Australasian Colonies vid Canada, viz. :— " That this Chamber is of opinion that the early establishment of cable-communication with Great Britain vid the Pacific Ocean and Canada, and passing over British possessions only, is of paramount necessity ; and that the Premier of New Zealand, at the forthcoming Conference of Premiers, be urged to support this resolution to his utmost power." I may explain the mercantile community in this city is of one mind in this matter, as voiced by its Chamber of Commerce. I have, &c, H. Goulstone, Secretary. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier, Wellington.

No. 14. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Chamber of Commeroe, Auckland. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th February, 1898. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, forwarding copy of a resolution passed by your Chamber in connection with the Pacific cable, which will be considered. I have, &c, The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 15. The Secretary, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, to the Hon. the Premier. Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, Sir,— 26th February, 1898. A circular having been received from the Sydney Chamber advocating the establishment of a Pacific cable, I have the honour, by direction of my committee, to forward the following resolution, with the suggestion that the matter should receive full consideration at the forthcoming Conference of Premiers : " That this Chamber reaffirms its opinion that the time has arrived to establish cable-communication with Great Britain and her Australasian dependencies via Canada." I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Walter Ollivier, Secretary.