The Vancouver Mail Service.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7955, 19 October 1905, Page 3

The Vancouver Mail Service.

Tie Question of Its Reneiil. (Received Oct. 18, 11.2 p.m.) MELHOUINK. Oct. 18. 11l the House Mr Chapman moved fo extend the Vancouver n*<ul contract to July 31. 19W5. with a proviso that if neither party gives not less than three months' notice to terminate prior to the latter dale, the contract! shall continue untK July 31. 1907, the amount of sub* silly pay a bio by the Comnionwt*alth to be at the annual rate of £23.863 from May to the eml of July, and at the rate of £26,626 from August, thr difference between the two amounts b**ing th»» Commonwealth's proportion" oi the lotal increase of £tiOOO. It was staMl by tha New Zealand Postnmstvr-fietieral recently that' his (Jovvrnment was willing to pay a subsidy! of £20.000 if the Vancruver steamers called there instrad of Hrisban«\ and th* Company wan willing m thai case ta reduce the Commonwealth's subsidy to £30.000* for ten years. From a purely postal point ot view ibe Commonwealth was paying aboul £23.000 more than it would cost tc tend the mails at poundage rules. but ;t .was to a large extent a trade subsidy. Vnfortunately, t ratk* between Canada and Australia was decreasing, and under the new contract there would lie no improvement in spewl, and no change except as to tho increased subsidy. I From a postal pofnt of view the Ifne was of very tittln value Unut a# it wa-sjan "All Red route" .J.here naturally * was a| .sentiment in favour of zetaining it And keeping up inter-communication with other parts erf the Empire. Its irado value had prov«Hl disappointing, bttt with larger steamers, letter facilities, ami higher spe»«l. great development might take place. Mr Watson thought that in view of the falling trade it was very uoubtful whether the service should lie continued The present subsidy was practically vijual to a £ for £ subsidy on the value of our exports to Canada. The matter called for serious investigation. » Other members urged the Government to make efforts to increase the trado with Canada.

Th*» motion was adoptwl on tho! Voices. |