MAIL SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 23, 19 October 1901, Page 3

MAIL SERVICE.

11 SUGGESTED QUEENSLAND SERVICE. '! [CUB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] 1 Received 18, 4.41 p.m. Sydney, October ] 8. In co'nech*nM with the remarks of 'he QueemUnd Premisr re the 'Frisco ' mail tbT'Ticn, a statement is published ' hero that in the event of New Zealand deciding to subsidise a Orcadian line Queensland will be offered the Oceanic,, as that the St.te would loss the Canadian is assented. It is probable the ' Federal Government would agree to the if Queensland recommended it. As an indue- meat for the change, it is poiiitad out that Ameri-can-English mails would bo delivered about three days quicker via Brisbane than via New Zealand. FURTHER DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. PUB PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, October 18. The debate on the mail proposals was resumed in the House on Friday by Mr Wilford, who said he would oppose in fu ure any payment to Mr Speckele, aad would vote against the proprsils of the Prstmaster General in regard to the 'Frisco service. There could be no objection to a subsidy to the Union S.S. Co. for carrying mails between here and Australia, and though t e might not get our letters so quickly as by 'Frisco we should have an absolutely regular weekly service. Messrs Hop?, Herries, acd Palmer advocated the 'Frisco service. Mr McLachlan siid he would vote for discontinuance of a service that was totally a'ien to us. If these boats only asked 5a a year, he would not give it. Mr W. Fraser said that a contract with the Vancouver Fervice at present being impossible of arrangement, it was a question between ' Friseo and Federal services, and the former was much superior. Mr Lturenson said be had been convinced by the arguments during debate that the 'Frisco service was not the one ■, he should support. He expressed a' strong preference to the Federal line. Mr A. L. D. Fraser did not regard the ] question of speed as the only consider- i ation in arranging a mail contract. A i reduction of cable rates was of epual i' importance. He would a vote against ! the 'Frisco proposals. Mr Pirani spoke in support of the 'Frisce service, and Mr B. G. Allen against it. The latter advocated the Federal service, and said ths surest way of getting the United States shipping laws ltered was by New Zealand ] showing its independence. , Mr Jsb. Allen said the action of op-! j ponents of the 'Frisco service wasj, aeainst the federation of Englishspeaking races, which was so much f talked about and desired. He strongly j supported the 'Frisco proposals. \ Messrs McNabb and Ell spoke', against the 'Frisco f«rvice. ' ( At 10.50 the motion to go into Committee of .the Whole for consideration of the ronil proposals, was agreed to on the voices. In committee, Mr. Millar moved to strike cut the first portion of the first paragraph of the proposal authority of i the Government to enter into a compact with the Oceanic Stea-nsLip Company for the renewal of the present 'Frisco service. Sir Joseph Ward, impressed on the * House the necessity for this colony ' taking united action with the Commonwealth and the Impsrial Government, i < in order to secure an amendment of the ' j Americin shipping laws. ( Mr. Bollard made a strong appeal for the continuance of the 'Frisco I gervice. Mr. Seddon said the trouble in con- 1 nection with the present service had ' been the cutting out of th 9 Union s bouts. The colony could not improve 1 on the 'Frisco service. He munt admit he was not pleased at the attitude of the Americin Government when New I Zealand asked for an modification of her shipping laws, but it was ridiculous to talk about refusals with a country like America. If the North Island main trunk railwav were c mp'eted the House would unan ; mously hav agreed to the 'Frisco proposal. Through trains would be runring bitween ! Auckland and Wellington before it ' would be necessary to renew the con- ' tract, and what would be th-> result if ' thev now drove the serv : ce a»ay. Mr McGuire ronsiderered the 'Frisco mail proposals were the be?t in the meantime, but the rorition should be reviewed next fession. He preferred to see boits subsidised that would call at the Cape. On diviiion, Mr Millar's amendment was negative 1 ! by 35 to 28. Mr Millar then moved that the specified tmm of the 'Frisco contract (three yeers) be struck out. This was put and carried without discussion by 36 votes to 28. Mr Millar then moved that the term be one year. _ Sir Joseph Ward strongly oppose" this, and said it would be almost impossible to enter into a contract for one year. He suggested two years. Captain Russell urged that at least a two years' contract be granted. Mr Millar's motion was carried by , 33 to 30. Sir Joseph Ward then moved to extend the term to eighteen months. Mr. Seddon said there were good reasons why this extension should be made, and he asked the House to assent to it.