4 
would be very judiciously expended. To be the 
first in position telegraphically to England, 
India, and China, -would be an advantage of 
vast importance, while within a -?ery few years 
after the opening of the lines, the Queensland 
section would doubtless prove to be a source of 
considerable revenue. The colonies would have 
control over the tariff, and Queensland’s advan- j 
tages would, of course, be in proportion to the ] 
length of her lines. 
To carry a wire from Kockhampton to the ! 
Albert, or to the western boundary of the 
colony, not far from that point, would cost, 
according to the estimate given, £120,000, 
which, raised by loan at 5 per cent., would only 
amount to £6000 per annum. This is a great 
national work, and Queensland may reasonably 
be expected to extend her lines as far as sug- 
gested. The adjoining colonies would doubt- 
less very willingly unite, under such circum- 
stances, in a subsidy to carry the line onwards 
to Java, and it is not at all improbable, in the 
event of the adoption of the second route 
mentioned, that South Australia alone would 
carry forward the wires, without hesitation, to 
Port Essington, as that territory will shortly be 
placed under her protection. With regard to 
the working expenses and maintenance of the 
land line, it may be expected that New South 
Wales, and probably Victoria also, would con- 
tribute a fair proportion until the receipts 
arising from the general business became after 
a few years a source of revenue. 
By availing herself of the circumstances now 
placed within her reach, Queensland may here- 
after become one of the greatest of the 
Australian Colonies in prosperity, wealth, and 
influence. If she now fails to act with promp- 
titude, such a fortunate chance most probably 
will never again occur. It must be remembered 
that while we hesitate, other colonies are 
anxiously turning their attention to this subject, 
and that any indifference or short sighted policy 
on our part will lead to unfavourable results, 
the full weight of which may only be experiencd 
in after years, when it will be found too late 
to call back, “ Queensland’s opportunity” now 
placed so clearly and invitingly before us. It 
is therefore to be hoped that all our colonists 
will cordially unite in aiding this worthy under- 
taking by wisely adopting broad views upon the 
great question of the “ Anglo-Australian 
Telegraph.” 
FAIRFAX & WIGHT, PRINTERS, “ QUEENSLAND GUARDIAN ” OFFICE, BRISBANE. 
