THE PANAMA SERVICE.

Southland Times, Issue 617, 11 January 1867, Page 2

THE PANAMA SERVICE.

(From the Canterbury Times.) The Panama mail service may now be considered as fairly established, so far as the Inter-colonial arrangements can make it so. It appears that considerable reluctance was felt by the New South Wales legislature in entering into the matter upon a permanent basis. The strange news which reached us a little time ago, and which somewhat perplexed us, that the Sydney legislature was inclined to vote the necessary funds for the period of only six months, was strictly true and easily accounted for. Public opinion in Sydney had veered right round from its enthusiastic welcome of the New Zealand proposals, and had come to look upon the Panama service as a failure, and our own colonial Government as an arch deceiver. The arrival of Mr Crosbie "Ward in Sydney as the accredited agent of the New Zealand Government was at first regarded with suspicion. It was thought that he had been sent to effect some further changes in the conditions by which New South Wales should be seriously a loser. It is possible, too, that the proposals which had been made to start a new mail service by Torres Straits, went some length in distracting the attention and dimping the enthusiasm of tbe Sydney public. Luckily, however, for the interests of the Panama line, all idea of taking up tbe Torres route was soon abandoned. And we confess, that when all the dangers of that route are taken into consideration, our only surprise is t;iat the idea was ever entertained. The results of Mr Crosbie Ward's mission have been satisfactory in every point of view. Before he left Sydney the legislature had cordially passed the vote for the Panama service, not merely for the current period, but for the next financial twelve months. Nothing could be more indicative of general and hearty good will to the.enterprise, aud of confidence in those who Avere co-partners in it. The whole of the arrangements be-t-veen the two colonies have been finally settled, and the way is now open for discussing the terms upon which the neighboring colonies may be allowed to participate in the advantages of the new line. The question as to the ' terminus ' of the ocean steamers has been settled in a way favorable to the Sydney views. We sometime ago expressed a strong but dispossionate opinion in favor of making Wellington the terminus for the Panama steamers, and of sending the mails on to Sydney by brauch steamers. We pointed out how Sydney itself would participate in the advantages of this arrangement, by having the earlies delivery of its mails. Nothing has occurred to alter our opinion as to which is the preferable arrangement. But the circumstances which interfered with the erection of the patent slip at Wellington have so completely changed the face of affairs, that is would be useless to make any idea of prospective advantages from its delaying the conclusion of a definite postal treaty with New South. Wales. Whatever may be done some years after this, when New Zealand has a patent slip of its own, fitted for the use of the ocean steamers, the question is settled for us in the meantime. The steamer must go to Sydney for refitting and repairs. No possible terms made upon paper could interfere with their doing so. It was fortunate for Mr Ward that the question was thus settled for him, and that there was no occasion for discussion upon what might have been an irritating topic. The whole arrangements have been made in the most amicable spirit, and give every prospect of the service being carried on in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. It has been resolved to hold a conference at Melbourne of delegates from all the Australian colonies, to consider the question of the European and Intercolonial postal service. The conference is fixed for the month of February ; and it is hoped that it may result in securing the support of the other colonies to the Panama line, and in deciding the terms upon which the benefit of the two isthmus routs may be enjoyed by all the settlemeats in the Southern Pacific.

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