THE MAIL SERVICE QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 6, 8 January 1902, Page 2

THE MAIL SERVICE QUESTION.

PROPOSALS BY THK OCEANIO COMPANY. PEE FBKBB 4.SSOOUTION. Sydhw, January 6. Messrs Burns, Philp and Company, as agents for tb<* Ocanic Company, have forwarded a letter to the Federal Postmaster-General ou'linicg Pacific mail seryice proposals. As indications of the future expansion and improvement in traffic in the Pacific they cite 'that two 10,000 ton 30-knot ►tenners are now being built at San Franoisco for the trade between there and Chin*. j Other important developments between San Francisco, Manila, and Honolulu ara being pushed forward. The letter continues: "I f the development of trade which seems to be foreshadowed is at all realised both Amerio* and Australia will probably soon think a fortnightly service imperative." Dealing with the various route} the letter suggests Sydney to San Francisco via Suva and Honolulu as the quickest. By this route it is claimed the company oould, without any increase in its present speed, cwry mails from Sydney to San Francisco in 18 days. Its adoption, which would avoid a detour to New Zealand, would wquire special arrangements in the ioteiests of that important colony. This oould be secured by running a steamer to connect with the Oceanic vessels at Suva. New Zealand mails could then be carried

through Aucdland to San Fracif>co| also in 18 days. It is true 'hi* is < day or two longer, but if the service became fortnightly New Zealand would be better served than at present, for she would have a mail every fortnight instead of every 21 days. With regard to the service to London via San Francisco, the company has already shown that letters can be delivered in 32 days, despite the detour to New Zealand. If a contract of importance is made, the company will be enabled to make special arrangements for a Pacific service with express trains across America and lines of swift steamers across the Atlantic; but without reckoning on improvements still to be made, tbe company is in a position to offer an attractive oontract for conveyance of mails right through to London. It is understood , the directors have already made representations to the Imperial Government on the subject.

January 7. The Herald says the proposals are tempting. The offsets to the scheme are the objections of Great Britain to abandoning the Sntz contract* which fit in with the India and Far Ewtem arrangements; and the objections of both Britain and Australia to pay a large subsidy for a service carried on exclusively by American ships under American conti acts aod contemplated as part of ameriow commercial expansion. Biyond these oonsidaratious is the opinion now largely entertained that the day of maritime subsidy is drawing to a close. Trade will make it worth while to carry mail matter at little more than cargo rates, and yet give us as quick service as we now have.

The Daily Telegraph says the shipping connection is the root of the matter. The American policy is crystallised aggressive exclusivenesi. Even if some reciprocal arrangements between the Republic and the Commonwealth could be made, the condition would undoubtedly be made resulting that trade must be oarried in American ships. It is stating the p>opo?al of the Oceanic' Company frankly and accurately to say it is that Australian money shall be spent to help the realisation of all the! American ideas with regard to the Pacific In view of the fact that an up-to-date British line oan be obtained presumably at about the same price, the Telegraph considers it is not worth] while to give the Oceanic anything like large terms for an immediate fast service with a shadowy ohance of reciprocal trade with America, all carried in American ships. But the money aspeot is a minor one. The greiter consideration is that for a small present gain the Commonwealth might do great injury to its own and the Empire's shipping interests, Adcklakd, January 7.

Referring to the proposals made to the Australian Government for a ohange in the route of 'Frisco sternum, the Auokland agent of the Oceania Company states that he would be sorry to see Auckland taken off the direct route, but he believed the proposals warn the outcome of the unfair treatment the servioe hid received at the hands of the New Zealand Parliament It was no secret that lit Spreoktet | was dissatisfied with tbe present terms, | and he had no doubt made up his mind l not to be at the mercy of New 2ealand Iby the t. : we the aontraot oomes to be renewed,