AUSTRALIAN MAILS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1386, 22 February 1905, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN MAILS.

COMMONWEALTH SERVICE ADVOCATED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright I Sydney, Feb. 21. In reference to the recent London cablegram that only three of the last 18 San I Franoisco mails reached London in timo, I Burnß, Philp and Co. state of all the I despatches from Sydney and Auckland 17 I arrived at San Francisco to time, one only I being a day late. It is dear the Oceanio i Company did their part well. The bulk of the New Zealand mails are for the I United Kingdom, and the delay Jo their I delivery there, whilst very regrettable, occurred on the voyage across the Atlan- I tic. It is quite possible for the mails to I be up to time at San Francisco and yet to I miss the fast steamer at New York. I

Mr Josiah Thomas, a member of the Assembly, advocates the establishment of Commonwealth mail steamers.

The.Chambere of Commerce passed a resolution condemning the delay of the Government in settling the mail contracts.

I Melbourne, Feb 21. I The Postmaster-General has no official knowledge of the Orient Company’s pro- | jected altered sailings. He declares the attitude of the Orient Company makes it necessary for the whole question of carry, ing British mails to be dealt with at an early date by the Governments interested —the British, Commonwealth, and New Zealand.

[ The time-table arranged by the Imperial authorities for the despatch of mail matter to Australia provides for six vessels in the present month and seven in March, including four via Vancouver and three via San Franoisco, the latter on February lltb, March 4th and 25th.