The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1900. ACCELERATED MAIL SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 92, 23 April 1900, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 2 , 1900. ACCELERATED MAIL SERVICE.

The prospect of an accelerated and more frequent mail service between England and the Australasian colonies is one that will be welcomed none the less for being so long delayed, To those who, in the early days, had to put up with the inconvenience of waiting three months for news, the idea of reducing that period to about as many weeks will be difficut to grasp, but will convey a good impression of the advance made in modern science and engineering since the early days of the colony. The latest 'Frisco mail

brings details of the magnificent enterprise of the Oceanic S.S. Company of San Francisco, the outcome of which is a new line of steamers designed specially for carrying the 'Frisco mails and fulfilling the conditions imposed by the United States Government. The first vessel (the Sierra) is expected to be ready by June 13th. At present the New Zealand Government have not taken any definite action relative to the proposals submitted by the Company, embracing a subsidy of £30,000 per annum, but the Chairman seems confident that satisfactory arrangements will be made. If so, there will be a service every three weeks instead of once in four weeks, and the time occupied in transit will be shortened by at least four days. There is only one element in the proposed arrangement j that is likely to form a stumbling block to the negotiations, and that is the necessity for ousting the Union Company from their present part of the; mail carrying contract between Australia and New Zealand. This is due to | the stringent conditions laid down by the American Government, that only American citizens can be contractors, and that the ships to be employed must be steamers of at least 5000 tons register, built of iron or steel, capable of maintaining a speed of 16 knots an hour, and so constructed as to be promptly and economically converted into auxiliary naval cruisers of sufficient strength to carry and work at least four 6-inch guns, each weighing 10,7701b5, with , carriage weighing 63001b5, shield 98001bs and circle 25151b5. On the surface it would appear as if that Government was decidedly having the . best of the bargain, but there are compensating advantages which should carry great weight. The cordial feeling existing between the United States and Greater Biitain would, by the adoption of the Oceanic Mail Service, be strengthened by a very firm link, which, in the event of complications with other Powers, would be of enor- , mous importance. If American ships are engaged in carrying mails the duty of protecting those ships in case of hostilities would devolve upon the Government of that country. The mora our interests are bound up with those, of so friendly a Power as America the greiter the reason for relying on the assistance of its fleet in time of need. In addition to this, the mail steamers themselves are to be designed with a view of being absorbed into the American Navy, so that although the danger of a stoppage of the mail service might seem possible, it is more than likely to be secure from interruption. While carrying the mails the vessels will be able to maintain connection with the outer world and to watch and report movements of hostile forces. The saving of time effected will also be a consideration of importance, as will the increased number of mails. There is, however, one matter in connection with the proposal to which wo are bound to call attention, and that is the port of call in this colony. It is assumed that Auckland will as heretofore bo the receiving and despatching centre. As matters are at present there is no other arrangement practicable, but as the contract is likely to be taken for ten years there should be a stipulation reserving the right to alter the port of call for one more favourable. This proviso will enable New Plymouth to be substi'.uted as soon as the harbour is put into a satisfactory condition to receive oeean-going ships. There may : be some who think that day is in the : dim vista of the uncertain future. • Many other undertakings of a far less feasible natuvo ! :,vo been classed ' anion,-; fc tli.\- '•' ru. tW in Uio a.'."," but!. have mm ti>e become rwlitiesJl

there is no reason why, witiiri a few rears, our harbour should not be made ivailable for the largest ships afloat or ikely to be launched, and there is wery reason why it should. If any spur were needed to push on the work, surely the manifold advantages of securing the Australian trade should ict as a powerful incentive. Being in lirect line with Sydney there would be a saving of some hours in point of time. Aided by a proper express service of trains the mails would be delivered at Wellington and all ports south almost a day earlier than if taken to Auckland and despatched from thence, especially with the risk of the steamers sticking on the mud or being bar-bound at the Manukau. There is no doubt that it would be a decided gain to the whole of the colony so far as the mail service is concerned if New Plymouth were made the port of call. By the construction of a branch line from Sentry Hill to the main North Island Trunk Railway at Mokau, Auckland would be placed on as good terms in point of time as if the vessel called there direct. There is little if any difficulty in making a line ever this route, and it is one that would pay well, and sooner or later will have to be put in hand. The Cabinet will do well, when considering the proposal of the Oceanic Company, to give close attention tn this aspect of the question, and in face of the manifest advantages that will accrue by a Sydney-New Plymouth route, to leave an open door for its adoption when circumstances

permit—the sooner the better.