F.—B

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You have already been advised that the counter proposals of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company are not favoured by this Government. I have written in similar terms to the Premier of Canada. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, I have, &c, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. R. J. Seddon.

No. 28. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Ottawa. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 12th May, 1898. I have the honour to forward you copies of resolutions adopted at the Postal and Telegraph Conference [see F.-3, 1898, p. 7], which met at Hobart at the end of March last, in reference tothe Pacific-cable project, and to the recent alternative proposals of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company for laying a cable between the Cape of Good Hope and Western Australia. The resolutions have my hearty support, and it is the earnest desire of my Government to see the Pacific-cable scheme adopted on the lines indicated in the second resolution, which I trust may also receive favourable consideration at the hands of your Government. The counter proposals of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company are not acceptable to this colony, as it is considered that the Pacific-cable scheme is best suited to the wants of the colonies as a whole, and in the interests of trade with your Dominion. I therefore hope that your Government may now see its way to assist to bring the Pacific-cable project to a speedy and successful issue. The Agent-General for this colony has been requested to bring the resolutions under the notice of the Imperial Government, and to urge the authorities to reconsider their recent determination not to support the Pacific cable. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Premier, Ottawa. R. J. Seddon.

No. 29. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Hobart. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th May, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that in accordance with resolutions Nos. 8 and 13 of the Hobart Post and Telegraph Conference, held in March-April last [see F.-3, 1898], the AgentGeneral for this colony was instructed to bring the resolution affecting the Pacific cable under the notice of the Colonial Office, with a strong expression of opinion from the Government of its earnest desire to see the Pacific-cable project adopted jointly by Great Britain, Canada, and the Australasian Colonies on the basis indicated in the resolution. A letter was also forwarded to the Premier of Canada to the same effect. . . . I have, &c, W. C. Walker, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Hobart. For the Post master-General.

PEOPOSED CABLE VIA THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. [Read here No. 6.] No. 30. The Hon. the Premier and Colonial Treasurer, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) _ Sydney, 19th November, 1897. Committee on proposals re additional telegraphic communication between Great Britain and Australia suggests that Secretary of State for the Colonies be asked to sanction representation of Australia by two gentlemen instead of one, as interests of eastern and western portions of Australia are not in all respects identical; also, that Mr. Playfair and Sir Daniel Cooper be appointed Australian representatives, with instructions that they shall in no way bind colonies to any proposal that may be submitted. Do you concur? Am telegraphing, also, to Premiers of Victoria Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania.

No. 31. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Sydney. (Telegram.) _ Wellington, 20th November, 1897. After careful consideration Government have decided to take no action direction suggested by Committee on proposals re additional telegraphic communication between Great Britain and Australia. Look upon scheme as being counter to Pacific-cable movement. Prefer to await. Canada's decision re Pacific cable.