THE OCEAN MAIL SERVICES. Wellington, August 18.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 292, 22 August 1888, Page 3

THE OCEAN MAIL SERVICES. Wellington, August 18.

The debate on the ocean mail resolutions was resumed last night. Some doubt arose in the outset as to whether Mr Ward's original amendment had been withdrawn," the Chairman ruling that leave had not been given for its withdrawal. This question was ultimately put, and leave given, so that the questions remaining for consideration were the Premier's original resolution that a two-wookly service should be continued, with Mr Ward's proposed addition of the words " but that the subsidy to the San Francisco Service be discontinued," and Mr Fish's further amendment that a monthly service will be sufficient. Captain llussell moved, as another amendment, "That consideration oF the question be postponed till next session, and that, in the meantime, the Government be requested to make necessary inquiries on the subject " He argued that, in view of the pending Presidential election, the colony should pause and see what effect ib might have upon the fiscal policy of the colony. Mr Fish thereupon withdrew his amendment. Mr Ward thought Captain Russell's amendment an atfempb to baulk the real issue as to whether or not the San Francisco service should be discontinued. Mr Fish supported and Mr Buchanan opposed Captain Russell's amendment. Mr Kerr argued strongly in favour of the direct service, hir John Hall saw no reason for postponing consideration of the question. The Committee divided on Captain Russell's amendment, which was negatived by 47 to 24. Mr Barron expressed his intention of opposing subsidies to either the direct or San Francisco route. Messrs Samuel and Fish proposed to discontinue payment of subsidies to ei' her line. Mr Donrrie Stewart urged in further discussion that the T&ouse should keep to the direct service, whether or not the San Francisco service should be continued. ; The hon. gentleman enlarged upon the advantage of the colony of maintaining the direct service, and said the San Francisco line had simply been kept up for the benefit of a few sharp Yankees, who merely laughed at us. Mr Whyte pointed out that every steamer leaving the colony could by law be made to carry mails at a penny per letter, which would give us £50,000 a year, but for the necessity for ensuing something like regularity, for which purpose a subsidy must be paid. As it was evident that the San Francisco service was doomed, the desire should be to get the best possible service instead. Mr Ward commented upon the altered attitude of the Auckland members, who, though clamorousfortheSan Francisco mail on the previous night, were now silent. Hesuggestedthatfindingthat service hopelessthey had been instructed to do their best to kill the direct line. Mr Monk warmly resented what he took to be a reflection on the Auckland members. Mr Ward proceeded to say that the edict had gone forth from a leading Auckland paper, when he was again interrupted by Mr Monk protesting that this was an insult to himself. The Chairman ruled that Mr Ward was quite in order, and that gentleman, in continuing, claimed fair discussion of the subject as regards the irect line. Mr Moss argued in support of the San Francisco service, and asked that a straight vote should be taken to decide the question once for all. Mr Peacock. replying to Mr Ward's remark, denied that the Auckland members approached bhequestion of the San Francisco mail from other than a broad colonial point of view, or that they were wanting in appreciation of the direct service. Mr Hobbs warmly resented the insinuations of jobbery aimed at the Auckland member?, but said that he would not be disposed to support fche San Francisco service 'inless America contributed more liberally than heretofore. Mr Allan thought the Government should call for tenders for both the fortnightly direct and Pacific ersvices, and then allow the House to decide the question next session. Messrs T. McKenzie, Beetham and Bruce opposed the San Francisco service. Mr Withy again quoted from the " New Zealand Times " the charges of corruption made against the Auckland members, and asked Mr Ward to say whether he knew of any jobbery. Mr Ward said the statements in question were absolutely unfounded so far as he knew. No Auckland member had attempted to use improper motives of any kind. After some further discusicn the House divided on Mr Ward's amendment for the addition to the Premier's motion of the words " But that the 'Frisco service be discontinued." Ayes 45, noes 27. The foilowing is the division list : Ayes, 45. Anderson Mackenzie (Clufcha) Barron McKenzie, J. (WaiBeetham hemo) Blake Newman Bruce O'Callaghan Buchanan o 'Conor Buxton Parata Cowan Pyke Feldwick Reeves (Inangahua) Fitchett Reeves (St. Albans) Fulton Rhodes Grimmond Richardson Guinness Ross Hall Seddon Hodgkinson Stewart (Dunedin) Izard Stuart-Menteath Jones Tanner Kerr Taylor Lance Turn bull Larnach Valentine Levestam Walker Macarthur Ward Mackenzie (Mt. Ida) Wilson

Noes, 27. Atkinson Moss Fish Ormond Goldie O'Rorke Grey Peacock Hislop Richardson (Mafcaura) Hobbs Russell Jackson Samuel Kelly Seymour Lawry Taiwhanga McGregor Thompson (Marsden) Mills Thompson (Auckland) Moafc "Whyte Monk Wifchy

Paibs. For. Against. Verrall Brown Fitzherberb Carroll Loughrey Marchant Steward Graham Hutchison Fergus Perceval Ballance Scobie McKenzie Mitchel&on Duncan Cadman Mr Samuel moves to add to the resolution as now amended, the words " together with that for the direct service." Mr Fish asked whether shareholders in the New Zealand Shipping Company could vote on the plain question. The Chairman said the honourable gentleman could challenge their votes after the division had been taken. The Committee divided on the new amendment without further discussion, with the result that it was lost by 48 to 24. The amended resolution was then agreed to.. On resuming after supper, the Premier said it was useless to go on with the remainder of the resolutions. He took the decision of the Committee to mean that the

Government should insert tenders for a direct fortnightly service, and submit them next session, also communicating in the meantime with Canada and the other colonies as to the possibility of establishing a Vancouver line. Some discussion arosoas to whether the remainder of the Premier's series of resolutions should be put. The Premier moved that progress should bo reportod in order fco tako the will of the Committee as to whether tho debate should bo continued. Mr M. P. Reoves charged the Premier with attempting to prevent the Committee from expres-ing a direct opinion in favour of a fortnightly service. Mr Ward, who had moved his third resolution in favour of calling tenders for a fortnightly Direct Sorvico based on said payment by weight that aftdr consulting with those mombcrs who had been working with him, he had decided to withdraw it. Tho resolution was reported to tho House and finalty adopted.

ANALYSIS OF THE VOTES. An analysis of the votes on the main issue shows bhafc with pairs, eifrhty-eiyhb members voted. A full House consists oi ninety-five member;-, bub of course bheChairamn of Committee's does not exercise his vote. This leaves six natnos unaccounted for. Those who did not vote were Messrs Smith, Taipua, Joyce, Fisher, Dodson, Izard and Sir J. Vogel Mr Scobio McKonzie had pairod against the Government, but being: locked in the Chamber when the division bell was rung, his name appears twice on the list.