COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO MR. W. H. WEBB.

Evening Star, Issue 2838, 23 March 1872, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO MR. W. H. WEBB.

On Tuesday evening, March 13, a complimentary dinner was given at Scott’s Hotel, Collins street west, Melbourne, to Mr W. H. Webb, of New York, the promoter of the steam postal service between Australia and California. About sixty gentlemen were present, and nearly all the leadiug mercantile firms were represented. Mr George Stevenson, President of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, was in the chair. The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G., and the Hon M. O’Grady (Minister of Public Works, Victoria), were present. Mr O’Ghady, in acknowledging “ Her Majesty’s Ministers in Victoria,” remarked that although New Zealand was uot represented at the late Colonial Conference, the defect had been remedied by the presence of one so well qualified to represent the Colony as the hon. the Treasurer and PostmasterGeneral. He was not at liberty to state the proposals made to the Government, but they had been materially assisted by Mr Webb, and he believed when they were made public they would meet the acceptance of the people of Victoria, as they were entered into with a sincere desiro to establish friendly relations with New Zealand and the United States. Mr Webb’s health was proposed by the Chairman. In replying to the toast, Mr Webb regretted being only able to pay a short visit, as his presence was required as early as possible in Washington. As far back as 1869, when on a visit to San Francisco, several Government officials, merchants, and brokers, called his attention to the rapidlygrowing trade of the Pacific Ocean, and the desirability of steam communication between San Francisco and Australasia, and he determined, if sufficient encouragement could be obtained from the Governments of the

United States and the Colonies, he would undertake to establish such a hue. He addressed the several governments on the subject. The United States Government introduced a Bill to provide a subsidy to establish the line, but they could not then adduce statistics of trade between the countries in support of their proposal. In consequence Congress decided to wait for information till the next session. In the meantime, the Post-master-General of New Zealand, foreseeing the commercial advantages to the Colony of commercial connection with the Unite i States, and of rapid postal com nunica-ion with Europe, contracted with parties in Sydney for a temporary mail service, which proved unsatisfactory. It was, however, owing to the indomitable perseverance of the Hon. J. Vogel, who determined that a postal service should be in some way opened up that the Colonies were indebted for the present service. While the question of an Australian Mail Service was pending in the United States, Mr Vogel entered into a contract with Mr Ben Holliday and himself on the 7th March 1871. He would leave the meeting to judge how it had been carried out, and of the disappointment at subsidies not being voted by the various governments, while at the sa re time an -•'ppositiou line was subsidised by New South Wales. Although a few passengers patronised the line, little or no freight offered. Finding it, therefore, necessary to set in motion trade in leading commodities of produce, especially in wool and flax, he offered to parties who would purchase in the colonies at the appi caching wool and flax sales, not only to freight their purchases to Sau Francisco, but deliver them on through bills of lading at the railroad stations in the cities and towns where their mills and warehouses were situated at a low rate, thus relieving them and the shippers from all trouble and responsibility from the time of shipment until delivery. His offers, with still more onerous conditions attached, were accepted by some, and large purchases by American buyers were made, competing witii European buyers, and causing a great advance of price in all the markets of the Colonies. The Hue was becoming better known, and its prospects were brightening, and es[, ecially so as he was able to say the government of Victoria was ready to join New Zealand in permanently establishing it. Mr Webb then read two letters, one from the members of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and the other signed by the .Mayor and chief inhabitants, hankers and officials of that city, promising their influence to render the enterprise a success, and expressing a hope that he would be able to make satisfactory arrangements. He found the Victorian Government, as a whole, anxious to facilitate the object of his visit. Mr Edward Lakgton responded to the toast “Prosperity to the Colonies of Australasia.”

Mr Vogel, whose name was coupled with the toast of “ the Visitors,” made a few remarks, in which he expressed the belief that the postal arrangements would be satisfactory to the Melbourne merchants. He pointed to the great benefit Victoria had derived from the New Zealand trade during the past ten years although no help had been given by that colony in tho matter of mail subsidies. He concluded by pointing to the prospect of an immense trade in the Pacific, and the consequent increased demand for wool.

“ Perpetual friendship to the AngloSaxon race throughout the world,” proposed by Mr S. P. Lord, was the last toast of the evening.