COLONIAL NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 5, 8 February 1851, Page 2

COLONIAL NEWS.

Steam to Australia.—The question as to the necessity of an immediate adoption of the shortest and most economical steam route to Australia is felt every (lay to assume increased^ importance. By a statement in the " Times 2^ of this morning, it will have been seen that the distance, time, and probable passenger rales of the three routes which steam communication is practicable have been respectively estimated as follows: — Route to Sydney Distanco. Timo. Fare. Miles. Duj-8. ■£• Via Sues! and Singapore 13.283 75 200. Via Cujje <>f Good Houu 13.080 69 Not stated. Via Pauuina 12,090 62 110 or 50 '2nd cabin. This comparison refers only to Australia. As regards New Zealand the result is still

more strikingly in favour of the West Indian Jpute, viz.:— loute to New Zealand. Distance. Time. Faro. Miles. Dayo. ■£• \ Via Suez and Singapore 14,488. 81. 215. Via Cape of Good Hope 15,080. 69. Not stated. Via Panama 11,490. 56. 100 or 45 2nd cabin. It also appears that the West Indian route is the only one that can he put in operation within a reasonable time. The obstacles interposed by the East Indian Company have delayed the Singapore plan for two years, and the Cape route is entirely unformed, since, although the General Screw Steam Company are understood to have obtained a contract for the Cape, which is forthwith to be carried out, there would rei main a distance of 8334 miles to be added; while the West India Line, it is said, could be ! perfected in 12 or 15 months? Under these circumstances, it seems hardly possible that the i decision of the point can be much longer delayed. The great argument in favour of the Singapore line has been the facilities it would give to,the growing trade, and passenger traffic between Australia and India, but there is every sign that however important this trade may be, it will soon be rivalled by that between Australia, Central America and California. Every general consideration, moreover, points at this moment to the. advisability of neglecting nothing that may enable us to share in the coming movements on the Pacific. It is also seen that the present irresolution of the Government exercises not merely a negative influence, but that it actually prevents what would be accomplished if the matter were left to the fvee energies of mercantile competition. There can be little/ question that if the power of carrying letters to Australia by steam, and of charging whatever rate the public might be willing to pay, had bee"n possessed either by individuals or companies, a line would before this have been established in connexion with Central America; and it is diiiicult to believe that any interests, either political or commercial, can be promoted by artificially delaying or diverting what would thus in the absence of interference naturally take place.