MAIL SERVICES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 482, 15 April 1909, Page 6

MAIL SERVICES.

« CONSIDERED BY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. VANCO,UVER LINE ROUTE FAVOURED. The important question _of mail services was brought under tho notice of the Conference of Chambers of Commerce yesterday by Mr. D. M'Pherson (Dunedin) and Mr. M. M. M'Callum (Auckland). Mr. M'Pherson said he desired to put out of sight altogether the claims of tho rival cities to bo made tho port of arrival or departuro of steamers carrying- tho mails. If shortness of route and quickness of transport were the only consideration, tho 'Frisco route would be the proper ono to solect. But tho American shipping law was a great bar to that route. The subsidy of £7000 given to the Wellington-Tahiti service was given more for the purpose of developing the Island trade. He favoured an "All Red" service via Vancouver, calling at a New Zealand port. Mr. M. J. Marriner (Christchurch) moved: "That the Government be urged to take steps to establish a Vancouver mail service, New Zealand having the first and last port of call." Mr. J. R. Watson (Lnvercargill) seconded the resolution. Mr. M. M. M'Callum (Auckland) pointed out the advantages of the 'Frisco service as a fast mail service. Mr. A. Robertson (Auckland) also favoured tho 'Frisoo line. He had it on very good authority that thero was an agitation in Honolulu to get that place exempted from that portion of tho American shipping law which precluded foreign vessels carrying passengers or cargo between two American ports. Mr. J. M. Johnston (Palmerston North) said that tho mail service should be that wWch best suited the greatest number of the population. The people of the South Island would be better served by Wellington being the port of call even' for an American service. He favoured a Vancouver service calling at Wellington or some central port. Mr. J. Maitland Jones (Oamaru) favoured an " All Red" line. , Mr. J. G. Harkness (Wellington) said that most mercantile business was now done by cable. He thought they should try and get a reduction in cablo rates. Ho had no sympathy with those who advocated subsidising an American line. In regard to tho £7000 subsidy to tho Wellington-Tahiti service, he might remark that tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce and merchants had nothing to do with the matter. Thoy did not ask for it. The first they know of it was the notification that tho sum had been put on tho Estimates as a subsidy for the line. Tho matter was settled in a southern port of Now Zealand. He supported Mr. Marriner's resolution.

Mr. H. C. Tcwsley (Wellington) alluded to the regularity of the running of the Alameda and Mariposa when in tho 'Frisco service. As a 'ast mail scrvico, the 'FriscoAuckland sorvice certainly deserved consideration. If they could got at tho insido arrangements with respect to tho subsidy of £7000 for the Wellington-Tahiti servico they would probably find thero was more in it than at first mot tho eye. It was probable that before very long tho Union Company would acquiro tho steamers now being run by Mossrs. Spreckels, and thero would bo an "All-Red" servico calling at Honolulu.

Mr. G. Shirtclifle (Wellington) thought that far too much was mado of tho question of a fast mail sorvice. Tho great bulk of businoss was now done by cablo. Tho United Statos was far too important a country for us not to havo some communication with it. It was a pity tho 'Frisco servico enmo to an end Ho condemned the American shipping laws. Ho could not seo his way to voto for a subsidy to an American servico, and therefore he would support the motion. Tho resolution was carried 011 tho voices.

A motion moved by Mr. M'Callum in favour of re-establishing a service via 'Frisco waa negatived on the! voices.