FEDERAL MAIL CONTRACT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9003, 16 November 1907, Page 2

FEDERAL MAIL CONTRACT.

Press Association. —Copyright.

Received November 16, 9.13. a.m. Melbourne, November 16. Mr Deakin explains that the mail contract, for 'which the subsidy is £170,000 per annum, provides for the extension of the service to Brisbane, with a special service to Hobart during six months of the year. The period of transit has been reduced to 638 hours—a reduction of 58 hours. The steamers will be built in accordance witJi plans approved by Government, each providing space for 2000 tons cargo in .cool storage, ihe first will be ready within IS months from the commencement of the contract, and one each year afterwards. White labour only will bo employed, without discriminating _ between unionists and non-unionists, Provision is made that Government may purchase the steamers if desired, and power is reserved to cancel the contract after five years, j£and to obtain j an improved service at an additional service subsidy. Plans of the steamers must be submitted within three months of the ratification ot the contract. Building must be carried out with all reasonable despatch. The maximum charge for carriage of butter is fixed at y z d per lb, .fruit 60s per ton. The rates from all parts of the Commonwealth to bo the same. The contractors must withdraw from any combine or trust which the Courts of tho Commonwealth de'cide to be illegal. The vessels will carry the Australian flag and bo fitted with w'neless telegraphy. The contractors will continue the existing service under present conditions until the commencement of the new contract. The new mail contract provides iltogether for eight new steamers.