§ MR. BAXTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department whether Her Majesty's Government are taking steps to re-establish steam communication between this country and the Australian Colonies; and, if not, what are the obstacles which prevent them doing so?
§ MR. LABOUCHEREsaid, that the Government had taken what he hoped would prove effectual steps for placing the postal communication between this country and the Australian colonies upon a satisfactory and permanent basis. The details of the arrangement were fully explained in a Treasury Minute, which had been distributed that morning, and the House would not therefore require him to give more than the outlines of the plan. Tenders had been issued for a monthly communication between this country and Australia, one-half of the expense of which would be borne by the mother country, and one-half by the colonies. The steamers are to touch at King George's Sound, Melbourne, and Sydney; and there would be branch services for Port Adelaide, Van Diemen's Land, and New Zealand.