COLONIAL MAIL SERVICES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2081, 16 May 1907, Page 2

COLONIAL MAIL SERVICES.

Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, May 14,

The Imperial Conference adopted a resolution in favor of a fast stoamer service between London and Australasia, via Vancouver. The British Government announced that it was willing to co-operate with the colonies in providing a subsidy. MELBOURNE, May 15. The Federal Government have served notice on the representative of the mail syndicate, demanding an increase in tho deposit* for carrying out the contract from twenty-five to fifty thousand pounds, on the ground of undue delay.

Received 9.27 p.m., May 15. LONDON, May 15.

At the Imperial Conference, Sir Wilfrid Laurier submitted a resolution favoring the establishment of a mail service to Australia and New Zealand, via Canada. His proposals wore divided into two parts—one affecting tho Atlantic and the other the Pacific. The proposed Atlantic service should equal tho existing sor-

vico to York, witli a saving of two days, as the difference in favor of Halifax is 900 miles. Ho allowed four days oil the sea and four across Canada, which would mean an accelerated service. He proposed on the Pacific side to establish a service of at least 18 knots, which would bring Sydney within 24 days of London. He admitted that it would be difficult to start such fast steamers immediately. The cost would bo borne by the several contributing Governments in equitable shares. Canada would contribute to both shipping services, as she w’as interested ill the maritime trade of both oceans. Sir Wilfrid’s proposal contemplated improving tho existing service to China and Japan. He hinted that Canada was prepared to subsidise up to a quarter of a million.

Received 10.24 p.m., May 15,

Mr. Deakin warmly commended the proposal so far as Canada was concerned. He doubted if Australia- and New Zealand could obtain a service

quicker than that already possessed for a reasonable price owing to the tw’o transhipments. The line would only do for mails and passengers. Australia was encouraging swifter means of communication through the Suez Canal, which saved transhipment, but was interested in both the Eastern and Western routes, if

such a project as Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s could be- placed on a sound financial basis. Australia’s interest for postal purposes might almost be equal to New Zealand’s.

Sir Wm. Lyne feared that a very large subsidy w’ould be required. It would probably take 30 days to. reach Australia via New Zealand, since it was necessary to stop four times before reaching Sydney. The present trade was not great, hut he thought Parliament w’ould look favorably on the scheme. It wr.s certainly desirable and deserved enquiry. He understood the last three knots W’ould double the coal consumption.

Sir Joseph Ward greatly disapproved the suggested speed, which ’.vould certainly not satisfy New Zealand,' since it would only bring her within 28 days of London, which she had already enjoyed via San Francisco. It W’as impossible to get a fully-equipped, "fast mail service unless' Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand joined hands in' paying a - subsidy of from £300,000 to £400,000. Such a sum divided among all would fall comparatively light. They ought to supply a 23-knot service between England and Canada,

uid also a 20 to 21-knot service from Vancouver to Australia and New Zealand. With stopping places like Honolulu, Suva, and Auckland, comparatively short distances apart, with suitable coaling depots, a high speed could be maintained if modern highpowered steamers were provided, but it W’as worth while to pay a high subsidy for a 24 or 26-kuot service. It would be necessary- to have New Zealand the first port of call. If the steamers called at Sydney first, and New’ Zealand last, New’ Zealand would not contribute. Sydney must be the terminal port, where the steamers could remain fully a w r eek coaling and .overhauling. If they touched at New Zealand first it would only be necessary to remain a few’ hours. Now’ Zealand now provided £40,000 a year, but w’ould give £IOO,OOO towards a swift mail service bringing the colony within 20 days of England. Canada and Australia could save all the money they were spending, in immigration if they established a fast service, with adequate third-class accommodation, with clieaji transit across Canada. He preferred to spend New’ Zealand’s money in supporting an all-British route and a fortnightly service, to making a direct grant for emigration. The Suez route took six weeks, tending to keep New’ Zealand in the backwoods. The scheme lie favored would revolutionise communication. He urged that tenders be invited with a view to ascertaining the cost of an 18,. 19, 20, and 21-knot service. New Zealand would not-remain without a direct servicefor mails and passengers to England. He urged co-operation among the British possessions. If the matter w’as approached in a proud spirit New Zealand’s only alternative w’ould be to increase her subsidy and revive the service across the United States. He hoped tlia’t would be unnecessary, but something practical must be done without unnecessary delay. Mr. Moor remarked that if the Japa n and China lines were included the all-red route would become yellow.

Mr. George regretted that Sir Wilfrid T.a Uriel’s proposal was not submitted in time to enable the Government to put forward considered views. Tlio discussion showed how difficulty the problem was. If great, speed was essential, the cost might be absolutely prohibitive. The best plan would be for these proposals and others which might bo submitted by Australia, for instance regarding the

Suez route, to bo the subject of expert investigation by representatives of the British and colonial Governments. The possible effect of the

completion of the Panama Canal would bo an important factor. Sir Wilfrid Lauricii said he was delighted that New Zealand thought the proposals did not go far enough. The matter was not one for experts, hut a question of policy. lie was piepared to amend his resolution to

secure harmony. ■The resolution was finally carried unanimously in the following terms: 1 hat the Conference is of opinion that the interests of the Empire demand that as far as practicable its diflcrcnt portions should he connected by the best possible lindans of mail communiactio'n, travel, and transportation ; that it is advisable that Britain he connected with Canada and through Canada with - Australia and Mew Zealand by the best service available within reasonable eost; that lor the purpose of carrying above project into effect such financial support as may bo necessary should ho contributed by Britain, Canada, ; Austialia, and New Zealand, in equitable proportions.

Press Association

T . DUNEDIN, last night. ■Referring to the proposed new steamer service, Air. J. W. Kenton, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said: “What we coiiimercial men wantyis, above all, a dependable mail -service; to avoid such", irritating delays as occurred during ' the last year of the -’Frisco service., "A. three-weekly service would suit veriwell, though if it could be arrarigeo* at not too great a cost h' fortnightly one would he preferable. ‘England to New Zealand in 20 days’ is a good catch phrase, and though it would not be .safe to say such a thing is impossible, yet I am afraid that at- present it is only a phrase. A 25J-kuot service across tbo Pacific is

/ a great jump from tho 16 to 17 knots of the late ’Frisco boats, and could only be obtained at great cost. A 26 or 28 days’ sorvico from London to Wellington would bo acceptable—if less tlio batter. I would point out that tho Sue/, route if the Government would arrango with tlio U.b.b. Co. for their boats to connect, forms an admirable subsidiary mail, and in connection with tlio -b to -bd a'• .< - vice already mentioned wonkl easily give practically a fo'tnightly soivico I trust, that as Britishers wo .should, all things being canal, or lionrlv equal, favor tho All route.”