STEAM COMMUNICATION.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 570, 18 January 1851, Page 3

STEAM COMMUNICATION.

[From the Times, September 10.] The question as to the necessity of the shortest and most economical steam route to Australia is felt every day to assume increased importance. By a statement in the Times of this morning it will have been seen that the distance, time, and probable passenger rates of the three routes by which steam communication is practicable have been respectively estimated as follows : —

This comparison refers only to Australia. As regards New Zealand the result is still more strikingly in favour of the West India route, viz. :—

£45 second cabin. It also appears that the West Indian route is the only one that can be put in operation within a reasonable time. The obstacles interposed by the East India 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 remain a distance of 8380 miles to be added ; while the West India line, it is said could be perfected in twelve or fifteen months. Under these circumstances it seems hardly possible that the 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 and 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 seen also that the present irresolution of the Government exercises not merely a negative influence, but that it actually prevents what i would be accomplished if the matter were left to the free energies of mercantile competition. 1 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 been possessed either by individuals or companies, a line would before this have been established in connexion with Central America ; and it is difficult to believe that any interests, either politicalor com mercial can be promoted by artificially delaying or diverting what would thus in the absence of interference naturally take place.

Route to Sydney. Distance. Timo. Fare. Miles. Days. £. Via Suez and Singapore.. .. 13,288 75 200 Via Cape of Good Hope .. .. 13.880 63 not stated. Via Panama .. 12,690 62 110 £45 second cabin.

Route to New Zealand. Distance. Time. Fare. Miles. Time. £*. Via Suez and Singapore.. .. 14,488 81 215 Via Cape of Good Hope.. .. 15,080 69 not stated. > ia Panama .. 11,490 56 110 or