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15 June, 1911.] Day . Newfoundland. The Honourable Sir E. P. Morris, K.C., Prime Minister. The Honourable R. Watson, Colonial Secretary. Mr. H. W. Just, C.8., C.M.G., Secretary to the Conference. Mr. W. A. Robinson, Senior Assistant Secretary. Mr. A. B. Keith, D.C.L., Junior Assistant Secretary. There were also present : Lord Lucas, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Colonies; Sir Francis Hopwood, G.C.M.G., X.C.8., Permanent Under Secretary of State for the Colonies; Sir C. P. Lucas, K.C.M.G., C.8., Assistant Under Secretary of State for the Colonies; Mr. G. W. Johnson, C.M.G., Colonial Office; Sir M. Nathan, G.C.M.G., Secretary to the Post Office; Mr. E. W. Farnall, Assistant Secretary to the Post Office; Mr. R. J. Mackay, General Post Office; Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Ottley, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence; Mr. Atlee A. Hunt, C.M.G., Secretary to the Department of External Affairs, Commonwealth of Australia; Mr. T. A. Coghlan, 1.5.0., Agent General for New South Wales and Representative of the Commonwealth of Australia on the Pacific Cable Board; and Private Secretaries to Members of the Conference.

The PRESIDENT : The Government of New Zealand has the first resolution. Cheapening of Cable Rates. ". That in view of the social and commercial advantages which would result from increased facilities for inter-communication between her Dependencies and Great Britain, it is desirable that all possible means be taken to secure a reduction in cable rates throughout the Empire." Sir JOSEPH WARD : Mr. Pearce has just asked me whether it is intended to take the two branches, the Cheapening of Cables, and the Nationalisation of the Atlantic Cable, together. lam inclined to think it would be better to keep them separate. The PRESIDENT : Yes ; keep them separate, if you please. Sir JOSEPH WARD : I would like to say with reference to this matter that this subject of the cheapening of rates between, the old country and the oversea countries has engaged a great deal of the attention of the Governments of all the parts concerned for some years past, and a good deal has been accomplished in the direction of cheapening cable communication already, but in my opinion it has not gone to anything like the extent it ought to do. I will endeavour to show that by a cheapening process better results could be obtained for the cable companies if they allow their cables to be used reasonably fully. The very restrictive business