OVERSEAS MAIL ROUTE.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 May 1919, Page 4

OVERSEAS MAIL ROUTE.

PANAMA NOT USED. «

"other services subidied.

WELLINGTON, May 21

An explanation as to why the Panama route is not used more generally for the transmission of mails has been made by the Chief Postmaster, Mr D.ryden. He points out that the Vancouver and San Francisco routes are still quicker than the Panama route, providing there is reasonably good connection at New York. A more imporU ant reason, however, and one which appears to have been lost sight of is that the costs of both San Francisco

and Vancouver services—maintained by the Union Company —are heavily subsidised by the Government for the conveyance of Dornicion mails. Why. in that case, should they send mails via the Panama and pay poundage rates—even of the vessel were timed to arrive in England two or three days ahead of the Vancouver or San Francisco route mails—when they had their own steamers running regularly. Moreover, such subsidies ensued as far as possible a regular service and had a bearing—in the public interest—on passenger and freight rates. The EnglisliA • postal authorities had also been blanicoT he said, for not utilising more generally the transports as mail steamers. The chances were that they were paying subsidies to the Atlantic lines for the for the carriage of mails and saw no 'reason why they should, in addition, incur poundage rates as well. After all there was a limit to the expense which should be incurred in the conveyancer of mails, and it, was the duty of the authorities ,;to Icmrtail that Jexpettsfe as much as possible without loss of efficiency. RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES. WELLINGTON, this day. Sir Jas. Allen who left last night for the South Island, stated the Minister of Railways is not. due back in Wellington till Saturday, so that the decision of the Cabinet in regard to tho Loco., Engineers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association dispute and the Minister's veto of the appeal board decision in the Longton case could not possibly be given till then, and might have do stand over till his own ; re--turn to Wellington on Wednesday next. "GO-SLOW" ALLEGATIONS. A RAILWAY ENQUIRY. HAMILTON, May 21. A railway enquiry was held at Ngaruawahia yesterday, the stationmasjfe and certain loco, men being being examined. The subject of the enquiry was not disclosed, but it is that it was in connection with alleged go-slow tactics. WESTMORELAND STRIKES GROUND. DUNEDIN, this day. At a late hour last night Messrs. Turnbull, Martin and Co., received advice that the steamer Westmoreland, which left Bluff at 6.15 p.m. yesterday with the intention of proceeding to Wellington, had struck ground pretty heayily while leaving the southern port. She is believed to be making water, but continued her voyage, the intention of her captain being fo bring the vessel to Port Chalmers, where docking facilities will be available.