AUSTRALIAN MAIL CONTRACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2240, 18 November 1907, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN MAIL CONTRACT.

I SUBSIDY £l7o*ooo PER ANNUM. | .NEW STEAMERS TO BE BUILT. : United Press Association —Copyright MELBOURNE* Not. 16; V Mr Deakin explains that the mail contract, Ifor which the subsidy is £J-70,000 per amram, provides an extension of the service to Brisbane, with ta special service to Hobart •during six months of the year. Tile • period of transit is reduced to 638 hours, a reduction of 58 hours. The steamers are to be btfllt in accordance with plans approved by tho Government, each providing .a space for 2000 tons cool storage". The first steamer is to ho ready within 18 months 'from the commencement of the contract, and one each ; ear afterwards. Only white labor is to be employed, without discrimination between union and non-unionists. Provision is made for the Government to purchase the. steamers if they desire. Power is reserved to cancel ith 6 contract after five years, and obtain an improved service at an additional subsidy. Plans of *be steamers must be submitted within three months of the ratification of the contract, and the ‘building carried out with all reasonable desparoli. The maximum charge for carnage of bwater is .fixed .at a half-penny per •pound, and fruit a,t 60s per ton, rates from all ports of the Commonwealth to he itlie same. Contractors must ‘withdraw from any combine or. trust which the courts of the Commonwealth decide ito be illegal. The vessels are to carry the Australian flag, and ibe fitted with wireless telegraphy. The contractors continue the existing service’under ‘tllie present conditions .until the commencement cf the new contract. MELBOURNE, Nov. 16. The. new mail contract provides .altogether for eight new steamers. A motion for .printing the contract was adopted, .and the debate was adjourned until Wednesday.