N. S. WALES AND THE SUEZ SERVICE.

Evening Star, Issue 3141, 14 March 1873, Page 2

N. S. WALES AND THE SUEZ SERVICE.

The New South Wales Parliament has adopted a petition to the Queen protesting against the decision of the Conference on the Suez mail question. The Welshmen say for themselves that they consider “ the port of Sydney has from the first establishment of the Suez mail service been the terminus of the Hue, and no injury is inflicted upon any other Colony by the voyage terminating at this port. The mail ships can perform the voyage to Sydney with greater advantage to the mail service, and at a lower expenditure than by stopping at Melbourne, as their supplies of coal must be obtained from New South Wales, and the shipbuilding and engineering wo ks of Sydney are the most extensive and complete in this part of the world. We deeply re gret to learn that, notwithstanding these circumstances, it has been decided by a majority of the delegates representing the several Colonies at the Conference that the terminus of the new service shall be at Melbourne. We cannot view this decision as one arrived at on the merits of the question before the Conference. It has not been shown that the mails in the case of any other Colony would be more speedily or safely delivered by the proposed change, while the interests of New South Wales in the mail service would be seriously injured.” They pray the Home Government not t affirm a decision which “will practically exr elude New South Wales from participating in the advantages of the route.” In the debate in the Upper House, Mr Samuel stated that the Government intended to withdraw from the Suez service if the prayer of the petition were not granted. It. is asserted by the Sydney Herald that the Victorian delegates secured the votes of the Western Colonies by threats. The reason assigned by New Zealand for giving the terminus to Melbourne is a very singular one. They say that Messrs Francis and 1 angtou expressed their determination, cost what it might, to have Melbourne made the terminus, and “therefore,” say the New Zealanders, Melbourne must have it. They express their opinion that the action of the Victorian delegates was ungracious, South and Western Australia were distinctly bought off, and Tasmania, although voting with the Melbourne delegates on the first division, refused to go with them when ths question was put a secopd time. It does not appear that a single dis: interested vote was given for Victoria, and the testimony of all the delegates when they return to their respective Colonies will be that Victoria is arrogant and unreasonable. A victory gained in this way is worse than a defeat,— Age.