Mali Services.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3588, 21 October 1905, Page 3

Mali Services.

AUSTRALIA’S TRADE WITH

CANADA.

DECREASE ANNOUNCED.

Melbourne, Oct 19. The Postmaster-General, Mr Chapman, in the course of the debate in the House of Representatives last eight on the question of extending the Vancouver mail contract, said the Commonwealth subsidy would #6,6*6. He quoted showi that the imports from, ojmada had d< £ creased from * 353,000 in 1903 to .£322,000 ia 1905, and exports to Canada had decreased from m Kjoo to £39,350 in 1904. The mail matter carried from Australia on the Vancouver Roe in 1904 was 38,0001 b, and two-fifths of it went to the United States, while Bo,ooolb were carried on the Sa& Francisco line.

_Mr Sydney Smith, late PostmasterGenera), explained that when the trouble with the Orient Company occurred it was thought possible to arrange a great improvement in the Vancuover service, and so take the place of the Orient service. The Union Company, however, wanted *330,000 ftjjf two years, and required two yeai£, to make provision for new steamers. This was impracticable. Then:, when the question of renewing *h* existing contract was discussed, it ashed for an increased subsidy of £30,000. Eventually, it was agreed to accept an additional £ 6OOO, and if that was not granted, the service would have to be abandoned.