SOUTH AFRICAN MAILS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1317, 21 December 1911, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN MAILS.

VICTORY FOR SHIPPING RING,

Dy I'eltcrach—Press Association--Copyrlirht •Cape Town, December 10. The Royal Mail Company's purchase of the Union-Castle line shores is regarded as a victory for the shipping ring in tho fight with tno Liu'ou Government regarding rebates aud freight charges. Although th'c rebates will be discontinued, it is not expected there will be any reduction in freights.

It was statwl >at the beginning of November that tho South African Union Government still adhered to its determination to build its pwn fleet of mail steamers if compelled to do so and was making inquiries to that end anions; shipbuilders in England. It is estimated that a floet of seven ships su flj cient for the mail sen-ice, would not'co=fc more than £3,500,000. It is maintained that there will be no difficulty in finding 111 South Africa the money necessary for tho construction of i State-owned' line, a veto lor which would have to be passed by the Union Parliament when it in January The profits from the South African iiii!wa,\>, which amounted fn some .mO.OOO for the period April-July of this year, would, it is added, alone sufflee for carrying out the policy wKch the Government is prepared to follow Vith regard to the establishment of a Stateowned !mo. tjuiwf-