THE AUSTRALIAN MAILS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 44, 21 February 1905, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN MAILS.

A FBESH DXFFICTJXTY. OROJFPING MAILS SHOBT OP DSSTHtATip». SYDNEY, February 20.

Another complication has arisen in connection with the oversea mails. The Orient Company contends that the outgoing steamer can be compelled only to carry mails to the particular port" for which it clears, and for no other.

The manager has notified the Postmas-ter-Oneral that the Orcnuz. which left Largsßay ou Thursday, had cleared for Colombo, and intended to land the mails there.

The mails axe addressed to one of the Mediterranean ports, and may be landed either at Malta. Naptes or Marseilles. The postal authorities contend that if the mails are transhipped anywhere els? the Orient Company will commit a breach of contract, and vrill have to answer for the consequences.

(Received 9.17 a.m.)

SYDNEY, this da*

Mr. Josiah Thomas, a member of the Legislative Assembly, adrocatos the establishment of Commonwealth mail steamers. The Sydney Chamber of Commerce has passed a resolution condemning the delay of the Groverameat in settling- die mail contracts.

MELBOURNE, + his day.

The Postmaster-General has no official knowledge of the Orient Company's projected altered sailings, and declares that the attitude of the Orient Company mates it necessary that the whole question of the carriage of British mails shall be dealt with at an early date by the Gov'trnment? interested, viz., the British, and those of the Commonwealth and Xe-vr Zealand.