The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1831.

Kumara Times, Issue 1596, 8 November 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1831.

Whilk the rest of the Australian colonics arcs doing their very best to open up and facilitate rapid commuirc ition with Great Britain, New Z.'aland alone seems determined to jog along in the old-fashioned style, and abstain from attempting to *hare in the benefits of which others are partaking. The Government and Parliament seem quite content with the monthly San Francisco service, believing it to be nil that is necessary tor the welfare of the colony.

One man alone, with an earnestness and perseverance which does him infinite credit, has persistently brought forward a scheme for providing direct steam communication with England. Mr Macandrew, formerly superintendent _of Otago, is the individual who aione has taken anything like practical steps to achieve the. object he aims at. For a ve:y long time anything but discouragement was put in his way, but during the last session of the Assembly matters were advanced a stage. Committees of both branches of the Legislature were appointed, and after the the most careful consideration of the whole subject, a most valuable report (which unfortunately was but very briefly discussed) was brought up. In fact, it did not receive the attention its importance demanded, and members rushed to a division, only too glad to shelve the question for a time. The committee had reported that six ships would be necessary for a monthly steam service to England, that snch ships should be of at least 4000 tons register, but of a draft of water which would enable them to enter the principal ports in the colony, and that they should combine the nece-sary requirements for the carriage of passengers, mails, and cargo, at a sea-going speed of not less than 12£ knots. It was, further shown that the capital required for the efficient equipment of such service would not exceed one million sterling. A recommendation was then made by the committee, that the Government should he empowered to invite tenders, and euter into an agreement with any persons who might be prepared to undertake snch service. It was proposed- that the colony should guarantee interest at the rate of 6 per cent, on the outlay of the fleet, but as the earnings would undoubtedly be very considerable, the chances are that we should uever have to pay a single penny of such interest The committee had evidently made most careful calculations as to receipts and expenditure, and also as to a variety of advantages which would be derived by the colony in the event of steam service being established with England. The evidence of the mauaging director of the Union Steam Shipping Company was quoted, and it was shown that that gentleman was of opinion that each vessel outward would take 2000 tons of New Zealaud coal, and that the vessel's disbursements in the colony would be £3OOO each trip. These propositions and facts were backed up in an able speech by Mr Macandrew; but MiReader Wood, always busy when mischief is to be done, moved an amendment, and it was finally resolved that the Government should make inquiry as to the terms on which a direct steam service with Great Britain could be arranged, and report the same to the next Parliament. And thus matters stand at the present time, but it may be mentioned that it is believed in shipping circles that the Union Company will probably make a definite offer to the Government before the reassembling of Parliament. When we consider the enormous advantages which Victoria is reaping from the establishment of the Orient line, it is a matter of surprise that New Zealand should remain comparatively inactive. Ifc is tnieth.it the Orient line was established without a subsidy, but the success of the venture under such circumstanceis the best possible argument in favor of earning out Mr Macandrew's proposals. It is sinceiely to be ho;.ed that the new Parliament will give more time and attention to the question than has hitherto been accorded it.