The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-07-27
DISCUSSING THE {. B Z.
HAWAII WILL he ALLOWED TO PAY
ron FAvORs.
Four Routes Necker Island Was One
Theo. II. Davies There-Landings
to he ON British Soil.


lowing notes on the Intercolonial Con-
ference:
The Intercolonial Conference sat for
three hours to-day disposing of the reso-
luton regarding intercolonal trade,
moved by the Hon. Mr., Wrixon, and
taking up the question of the Aus
tralian- Canadian Pacific cable. Owing
to the restrictions which now prevent
the Australian colonies discriminating
in favor of other British possessions,
the first step before other phases of the
trade question are taken up is the APP
peal To the British Government to re-
move those restrictions by permitting
all the colonies and dependencies here
represented to regulate their own Gus
toms tariffs as regards reciprocity trade
arrangements among themselves.
The resolution moved by Mr.. Wrixon
was in that direction. The existing
imperial statute imposes restrictions
that stand as barrier to reciprocity to
all the colonies, and unless these bar
riers are removed any attempt of the
conference to reach a basis for recip
rocal iutercolonial trade union must
prove futile. Hence the first step of
the conference is, if possible, to secure
their removal. There is phase of the
question, however, that may cause the
British Government to hesitate before
conceding to the several colonies dis
eliminating power in tariff matters,
even as regards intercolonial trade, as it
might affect some of the existing
treaties Great Britain has entered into
with foreign powers whose products
are to be admitted to the markets of
the dependencies of Great Britain under
the most favored nations clause and the
minimum rate of duty.
Several of the colonies or dependen.
cies also are not represented at the Con-
ference, and as the British Government
as before refused to permit Canada to
enter into a reciprocal trade arrange
ment with some of the colonies, by
which other colonies would be discrimi-
mated against, it is possible the imperial
authorities will want to hear what rep
reservations they have to make before
asserting to any arrangement from
which they might be excluded. How
ever, the effort is to be made to have the
restrictions removed which now stand
in the way of the negotiations of the
conference as regards trade matters be
ing carried to a successful issue.
AS regards the Pacific cable scheme
the delegates are unanimous in their
declaration that it must be constructed
under joint ownership. The most
difficult side of the question is the dis
tribution of responsibility or liability.
1t is suggested that the cost of construc-
ton should be equally divided between
the British, Canadian and Australian
Governments. Hawaii has, however,
sent representative here, the Hon.
Theodore Davies, who is in daily attend
ance at the conference, the object of his
mission being to secure the landing of
the cable at Honolulu. If it is to be a
purely British enterprise Hawaii cannot
be party to the ownership, although
this fact will not prevent the Govern
ment of that kingdom Offering aid to
facilitate a landing on its shores. Mr..
Davies comes as the representative OF
the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce,
and the proposals he has to submit on
behalf of that body, although not bind
ing the Government of Haw ali to any
action, will be awaited with some
interest.
1t was pointed out to-day when the
question was taken up, that tine cable
should be of an exclusively British
character The scheme of Sanford
Fleming, who initiated the idea of an
Australian Canadian cable, was dis.
cussed, and from what can be gathered,
1t is to be accepted as the groundwork
for the guidance of the delegates in
their deliberations. Mr.. Fleming con-
tends that there is no necessity for
landing at New Caledonia, Samoa or
Hawaii, or at any island occupied by
natives who are not under British pro-
lection. Four routes are suggested and
are now beng considered by the con-
ference:
No. 1-Commencing at Vancouver
island, extending to Tanning island
thence to the Fiji group; thence to New
Zealand, and from there to point be.
al.
land.
No. 2-From Vancouver island tc
Necker island thence to FIJI; thence tc
New Zealand and Australia.
No. 3-From Vancouver island t.
Necker island; thence to the Gilber
group, one branch extending from there
to Queensland, the other to New Zea
land.
No. 4-From Necker island to Bowen
touching at Apamana and at Chrisova
of the Solomon group. At Bowen thi
route would connect with Melbourne
Adelaide and Tasmania by the Soutl
Australia overland line.
1t is pointed out that while this rout,
is probably the shortest, ii has the dlsad
vantage of excluding Fiji and New
Zealand. Mr.. Fleming estimates tn
longest route, No. 3, at 1894 knots, an,
and places the cost at el,S25, 900, an'
the shortest route, No. 4, at q, PA knots
costing al, 100000.
The delegates with whom | hav
spoken deem the cable the paramount
question, and are sanguine the Govern
ments they represent will endorse an
reasonable scheme that will ensure tn
construction of cable over one of tn
routes outlined. There, however, al
pears to be general disposition to il
l.