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Southland Times, Issue 1310, 20 September 1870, Page 2

The threatening aspect of affairs on the continent of Europe, has suggested important- questions respecting the efficiency of our English mail service. The achievements of the two routes have been compared, and a decided opinion expressed in favor of the Suez line. Eor want of a direct steamer the last mail by tbat rout© was detained in Melbourne five days, and when it did get away it was brought round about by Hokitika. . .In view: of , the danger arising from the repetition of such a delay, the OtagoJ)aily Times of Saturday makeo fche following suggestions : — ] The steamers running between Melbourne and the Bluff mUet be subsidised aa before. It is to be hoped that the Government will not allow their prejudices in favor of Mr Hezekiah Hall to stand in the way- of an arrangement by which European news caa be obtained without unnecessary delay. Until a really efficient line, of mail steamers is laid on between Auckland and

San Francisco, the Suez route must remain tfe only practicable channel for communication wfh. Europe. Notwithstanding the measures adopted by the Post Office for the purpose of swelJng their San Francisco mail-bags, we believe that lie bulk of New Zealand correspondence will be ag&i sent by way of Suez. Letters from Londo\ received in town by the present mail complain of the irregularity of the San Francisco service, and request that return correspondence will be sent by the Suez route.