THU FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 October 1901, Page 3

THU FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

[OITB PABLIAMENTAEY BEPOETEE.] Wellington, Oct. 12. The two important respects in which the proposed contract with Spreckels differs with the existing one, so far as carriage by weight of mail matter goes, are j (1) That the poundage for conveyance of otters is reduced from lOsfidto 7s (id. ~(2plliat — the contract time between Frisco and Auckland is extended from sixteen to seventeen days.Southerners generally seem to approve of proposals, but Aucklanders decline to express any opinion at present. ' ■Wellington, This Day. In the absence of so many members on the parliamentary excursion up the Wanganui River, and having due regard to the reticence of the Auckland legislators on the subject, it is difficult to ascertain the feeling of the House with regard to the ’Frisco service proposals. “From information received,” as the policeman puts it, however, I am inclined to think that Auckland’s “ ewe lamb ” is in danger of being led to the slaughter, and that as the outcome of next week s debate on the Ocean Mail, the resolutions will be a subsidy to the Vancouver and Federal services. Mr. Witheford, one of the Auckland members, who formerly represented Spreckles and Co., yesterday, in regard to telegrams from editors of both Auckland newspapers, voicing evidently the concensus of opinion in that city in regard to the matter, some of which was that the Auckland members would be justified in taking any extreme step in gaining a continuance of contract. Witheford, it is reported, replied, regretting the autocratic style the papers were taking up, and expressing the opinion that more satisfactory results would accrue were a conciliatory attitude adopted. Dunnett, who represents the present contractors in the colony, has arrived at Wellington, and says that he has cabled the Postmaster-General’s proposals to Spreckels, but he does not think that they will be accepted if adopted by the House. In that event he anticipates that Queensland will be made the terminal point of the San Francisco service, and that New Zealand will be left out. On the. other hand public opinion is that if Spreckels fails to get better terms than those now offered, he will accept the Postal rates of seven shillings and sixpence per pound for letters, one shilling for books and packets, and sixpence for newspapers. There is a strong feeling of dissatisfaction in Auckland with respect to the ocean mail resolution. An indignation meeting is to be’ held to protest against what is regarded as an attempt to cancel the Frisco service and members representing Auckland electorates arc being bombarded with telegrams urging them to use every effort to secure its continuance even to the point of setting the duty above party allegiance and true patriotism. Witheford has sent this dignified protest to the constituency While holding the highest respect for the expression of public feeling I am of opinion that Auckland members will do their utmost in the interests of the people they represent, but agitations, indignation meetings and telegrams if overdone do not assist to mitigate the difficulties of the position, but rather intensify and increase opposition from those other members who are friendly with us but feel that Auckland is attempting to dictate to the rest of the colony. This has been intensified by the dictatorial utterances which have raised an enmity which could not otherwise have existed Auckland should advise its members to be conciliatory, as the best interests will be conserved by such course.