FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1047, 14 November 1903, Page 2

FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE,

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The House met at 2.30. Sir Josoph Ward moved tho ’Frisco and Vancouver mail resolutions. He said tho 'Frisco service was the cheapest and fastest that the colony could possibly secure. To join in the Federal service would cost us £38,000 a year, which tho colony could not afford. It would bo unwise to ceaso our communications with a nation like America.

Mr Millar moved as an amendment that no subsidy be paid to any American company for the carriage of mails. Ho spoke in support of the federal service, and 6aid the ’Frisco boats would come to the colony for poundage rates without any subsidy.

Tho resolutions roforred to are os follow :—l. That whereas tho contraot entered into on June 30th, 1902, between the Postmaster-General and the J. D. Spreckles and Bros.’ Company, of San Francisco, for the performance of a threeweekly mail servico between Auckland and San Francisco having expired in May last, the servico now being carried on under a temporary arrangement for a period up to six months, this Houso authorises tho Government to entor into a further contract with tho said company for a renewal of tho said servico for a period of throe years as from the 10th November, 1903, in terms of tho contract already referred to. 2. That this Houso also empowers tho Government to establish a three-weekly mail service between Vancouver and a port in Now Zealand, subject to tho following conditions: (a) that the contract shall be for a torrn of three years ; (b) that payment shall not exceed £20,000 per annum ; (c) that tho service shall be performed by vossols of not less than 6000 tons, having first-class passenger accommodation and fitted with all modern improvements, and also refrigerating chambers and chilled chambers for fruit and dairy produce ; (d) that the time shall not exceed oightoon days between Vancouver and a New Zealand port, the selection of which to be at tho contractors’ option ; (e) that the terms of the contraot, as far as tlioy can bo applied, Bhall bo similar to those governing th? San Francisco mail sorvice. The Houso resumed at 7.80.

The debate on tho mail proposals was carried ou throughout tho evening. Sir W. Russell, Mr Massey, and others supported the ’Frisco service, and Mr Duthio and others opposed it. Mr Seddon said there was a possibility of having a fortnightly servico, via Vancouver and ’Frisco, and negotiations wore proceeding on these linos. Ho strongly urged tho renewal of the ’Frisco contract.

GOOD NEWS FOR AUCKLAND.

THE FRISCO SERVICE RENEWED

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, 1.55 this morning. The Houso agreod to the renewal of tho 'Frisco mail contract for thvco years by 42 to 31, also the Vancouvoc proposals.