THe Southland Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 205, 19 January 1866, Page 2

THe Southland Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1866.

"We have to echo still the old cry, "No Mail." The systematic irregularity ofthe arrival of the English Mail has become a question of the utmost importance. Southland in common with the other Provinces of New Zealand are heavily i taxed, and willingly submit, to pay for a regular mail service. They desire beyond measure to possess speedy and a punctual arrival of the monthly mail from England. We have not yet obtained it. The last twelve months have been the t most irregular of all previous years. Formerly the non-arrival of the English Mail, at its appointed time in Melbourne was the exception, now it has become the rule. "Why is this ! The problem is not difficult of solution. Those who have the oversight of the working of the P and 0 Company's contract have neglected their duties — they have over-looked irregularities, closed their eyes to the fact that the company was making a " cats-paw " use of the Australian line — allowing them to make our service a sort of pension ground, a receptical for their worn-out or miserably constructed vessels. It is now high time that the whole of the Australian Colonies should protest against so gross an injustice being perpetuated. It is surprising that such leaden and lethargic indifference should have been displayed in this matter. True it is that many console themselves with the hope that the Panama, New Zealand and Australian Eoyal Mail Company's contract, which will commence in a few months will render us almost independent of the present " overland Mail line." This is a flimsey and delusive hope. We must for a considerable time be more or less dependent upon the P and O boats. Experience has proved that it is next to impossible to render a new line of Ocean Steam Service perfect in less than from two to three years of energetic and expensive perseverance. However desirous the new company may be to do justice to their contract — however lavish in money they may be to compass it, ifc would be unreasonable to expect immediate perfection. But the problem has yet to be solved whether it will be a success or a failure. Others have remained mute or themselves with a growl at the^ change which has taken place during the Ust year, and atfcribut it to the transfer of the Melbourne and New Zealand contract from the " Aldinga " line to the present contractors. This again is afalicy. The present contractors for the conveyance of the English Mail from Melbourne to New Zealand have done their work well and no breach of contract on their part, has contributed to the vexatious delays which have arisen. The whole and sole fault is with the P. and O. Company. It is the duty of the Provincial Councils and Chambers of Commerce to take up this question in sober earnestness. The non-arrival of the mail at its appointed time, is this month more annoying than usual. The complications and misunderstanding, which we heard of last mail, between America and Great Britain invests the expected news with more than ordinary interest. The fact cannot be disguised ; there is a possibility of a rupture with America. The claims which the Grovernment of that country makes with respect to the confederate cruisers, is more extensive and more firmly urged than some psople may suppose ; and urged with a show of reason which cannot be altogether despised. The fact is patent that British capitalists were involved in Canfederate enterprises,, but still it will be difficult, if not impossible, to show that the British government failed to maintain its position as neutrals, in honor and integrity.Stili the law of " non-interference " may be strained to a considerable extent. It is one of the dicta of Caelyle " that men must stretch an old formula to meet a new fact." America may adopt it as a creed, and, feeling that wifch its hundred of thousands of men, vowed and willing to fight, that a new facfc must be found in order that " an old formula may be stretched "; — a formula which when the United States were subjected to demands I of , a similar character from Portugik

during the South American War of Independence, they maintained with energy and success. We cannot bring ourselves to believe that the American G-overnment is sincere in its demands, or sufficiently insane to enforce them ; still we do feel that although President Johnson and his advisers may have adopted this course as a tranquillizing policy, from a desire to appease the popular clamour for war with either France or England, they may, by broaching the subject — like Erankensten — create a monster which they cannot control. Popular declamation, may compel them to maintain the position they have taken up. Should such be the case, war is inevitable. Then again ; the Eenian movement is not of the insignificant character the Press of England would have us believe. It is powerful in America, and may exercise considerable influence upon the Government of that country, in the treatment of the question now under discussion. It is therefore natural that we should look with some anxiety for the arrival of the mail which is now over-due. - The necessity for a regular mail service needs no argument. The commercial, the pastoral, the agricultural, and every othe interest clearly demand it. It is at the present time — the wool season — most desirable that the merchant and the squatter should be thoroughly informed as to the state of the wool market, and every other class of the community have a common interest in the commercial ahd political condition of the home country. We do therefore hope this matter will be taken up with spirit. That strong efforts will be made either to make the P. and O. Company faithfully carry out their contract, or compell them to yield it up to a better and more truthful association. The mail service as at present conducted is a I sham, a mockery, and a swindle, a change ! must be obtained, Will the public men of Southland take up the question.