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Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 975, 16 November 1910, Page 7

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; (, . \ NEW VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICEAUCKLAND AS PORT OF CALL. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OBJECTS. By TelcsrnpU—Press Association—Copyright (Hcci November 16, 0.35.a.m.) Melbourne, November 15. The Federal Cabinet considered at length the Canadian Postmaster's request for concurrence in the acceptance of the Union S.S. Company's tender for the Vancouver mail service from tho first of August next. The route provided for the omission . of Brisbane and the inclusion of Auckland as a port of call, with Sydney as tho terminal port. Cabinet decided not to agree to this route, and that a cable to that effect should be sent to tho Canadian Government. . Further negotiations may follow as tho tender provided for four alternative routes, but tho. Commonwealth Government is not prepared to substitute Auckland for. Brisbane. The Canadian Government may possibly accept a tender without the Commonwealth's concurrence, though this is not considered likely. It is understood that tho. New Zealand Government is prepared to contribute £25,000 towards the cost if Canada should join with New Zealand in arranging a now service. Tho Federal Government would then have to determine whether it would subsidise 'a now steamship company to provide a direct service between Australia, and Canada. The Canadian Prime minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurisr, has stated that tenders were called for four alternative routes, a vessel to sail from Vancouver every four weeks. The. routes arc: ~ (1) From Vancouver, via Victoria (British Columbia), Suva, and Brisbane, to. Sydney. . . (2) From Vancouver, via Victoria, Honolulu, Suva, Auckland, and Sydney, to Melbourne. (3) From Vancouver, via Victoria, Honolulu, Suva, Auckland, and Sydney, to Brisbane,- in such case a return call to be made at the ports named. (1) This stipulation provides for vessels sailiiiß from and returning to "Vancouver, calling each way at such of the ports before-mentioned, as may be specified by those submitting -tho proposals. The new servico is to begin four weeks after tho departure of the last steamer from Vancouver under the existing extended contract with tho Union Company, which expires on July 31, 1911. Alternative tenders are required for terms of three or five years. The steamers must fly ' the British flag.