§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTON,referring to a memorial presented sometime ago to the Treasury from the Australian Society on the above subject, observed that attached thereto were certain statistical statements and plans which the memorialists were anxious should be in the hands of the Members. He wished to know whether there would be any objection to lay them upon the table.
§ MR. WILSONsaid, he did not think there would be any objection to the memorial and the plan which accompanied it being laid upon the table, though such a proceeding would, he considered, be injurious to the object the Australian Colonies had in view. It would not be convenient, or facilitate that object, that the Government having published to the world that they were ready to receive tenders up to a certain day, should reopen the question in order to receive a fresh scheme after the time at which the tenders were to be sent in had expired.
MR. LINDSAYasked what steps had been taken with regard to the conveyance of the mails to the Australian Colonies?
§ MR. WILSONsaid, that in accordance with the Resolution of the House, tenders had been advertised for by the Admiralty, and six offers were the result. These applications were at the present moment under the consideration of the Postmaster General, and when the subject had been fully deliberated upon, the result would be made known to the House.