TO LONDON 20 DAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 16 May 1907, Page 2

TO LONDON 20 DAYS.

KKiSUIXTmN' ADOPTED liV CU-VFEIi-ENCE. (MEAT BiiITALX WILUXU TO ASSIST. London, May "J-l. 'the Conference adopted a r. solution ill favor of a fast steamer service between London and Australasia via Vancouver. Tiie British lio\eminent is willing to co-operate witii the colonics in providing a subsidy.

ml; uiu-'kiu L.u'i;ii;]r.s i'uoKcci'ivcd lotli, \>.->-j J,,,,,. JiOinloii, ilav l.i. At. I hi! Collleiviu'e, !>ir Wilfrid i/.iuriir submitted u resolution fiivnriin: i„|,,. establishment (if a mail service t 0 Ausli'iiiiii dim! ><ew Keihntl via (.'mala. 'J'hi: propo-als were divide,! inl 0 two parts oik! ali'cciing the Atlantic Ocean the other t l'acilic. The proposed Atlantic service; should equal til'! existing service to New York, saving two days, as tlie difference in favor of llaliEix was 1100 miles. Ho allowed four

days on tll<! sea and four acros< Canada by means of an accelerated service. : He proposed on the l'acilic side to establish a service of nt least 18 knots, which would bring Sydney within H days of London. He admitted it would be diliieult to start such last , steamers immediately. The cost would be borne by the contributing Governments in equitable shares. Canada would contribute to both shipping services as she was interestd in maritime trade of both oceans.

Sir Wilfrid Lauricr's proposal contemplated improving the existing °ervice to China and Japan. He hinted that Canada was prepared to subsidise up to a quarter of a million. RECEPTION OF THE PROPOSALS. SIR JOSEPH WARD DISAPPOINTED. LAUKIER'S SERVICE TOO SLOW. Received 15th, 10.24 p.m. London, May 15. Mr Dealdn warmly commended the proposal so tar as Canada was concerned but doubted if Australia and New Zealand could obtain «■ forvice quicker than they already possessed for a reasonable price. Owing to two transhipments, the line would only v'.o for mails and passengers. Australia was encouraging a swifter means of communication throught the Suez Canal, and by the Cape, which saved transhipment, but was interested in botli eastern and western , routes. If such u project as Sir Wilfrid Laurier's eou.'d be placed on a sound financial basis, Australia's interest for postal purposes might almost be ''q»al to New Zea--1 land's.

Sir W. Lync feared a very large subsidy would be required. It would probably take thirty days to reach Australia via New Zealand, sine it wouM be necessary to stop four times before reaching Sydney. The present trade was not great, fliut he thought Parliament would look favorably on the scheme, which was certainly desirable ami deserved enquiry. lie understood the last three knots would double the coal consumption. Sir Joseph Ward said lie was greatly disappointed with the suggested speed, which certainly would not satisfy New Zealand, since it would only bring her within 28 days of London, which she had already enjoyed via San Francisco. It would be impossible to get a fullyequipped fast mail service unless Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (joined bands, paying a subsidy of 300,000 to 400,000 pounds. Such a sum divided among all, would fall comparatively light, and ought to supply a 23-lcnot service from England to Canada, and also a 20 to 21-knot service from Vancouver to Australia and New Zealand, stopping at places like Honolulu, Suva and Auckland, comparatively short distances apart, with suitable coaling depots. A high speed could be maintained if modern high-powered steamers were provided, but it would not be worth while to pay a high subsidy for a 24 or 20-day service. Jt would be necessary for New Zealand to be the first port of call. If steamers called at Sydney first and New Zealand last, New Zealand would not contribute. Sydney must lie the terminal port; where steamers would remain fully a week, coaling and overhauling. If they touched New Zealand first, it would only be. necessary to remain a few hours.

MOTION AMENDED. UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO. Received 15th, 10.25 p.m. London, May 15. Sir Joseph Ward continuing, said the New Zealanders now provided £40,000 a year, but would give £IOO,OOO towards a swift mail service, bringing the colony within 20 days of England. Canada and Australia could save nil the money they are spending on immigration if they established a last service, with adequate third-class accommodation, and -with cheap transit across Canada. lie preferred to spend j \*ow Zealand's money in supporting an "All British" route, and a fortnightly service, to making a direct grant to emigration. The Suez route takes six weeks, tending to keep New Zealand in 1 lie backwoods. The scheme he favored would revolutionise communication. Ho urged that tenders bo invited with a view to ascertain the cost of an eighteen nineteen, twenty and twenty-one knots service. New Zealand would not remain without a direct service for mails and passengers to England. He urged co-operation among British possessions. Unless the matter were approached on a broad spirit, New Zealand's only alternative would be to increase her subsidy and revive the service across the. United States. He hoped that would be unnecessary, but something practical must be done without delay.

Mr Moor remarked that if the Japan ami China lines were included the "All Kod" route would become yellow. The, Hon. D. Lloyd-George regretted that Sir W. Laurier's proposal was not submitted in time to enable the Government to put forward considered views. The discussion showed how 'iliflicult the problem was. If •'peed were essential, the cost might be absolutely prohibitive. The best plan would be for these proposnls, and others which might be submitted by Australia, for instance, regarding the Suez route, to be the subject of expert investigation by representatives of the British and colonial Governments. The possible effect of the completion if the, Panama Caual would be an important factor. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said he was 'lelightcd that New Zealand thought the proposals did not go far enough. The matter was not one for experts, but a question of policy. He was - prepared to amend the resolution to secure harmony, and the resolution was finally carried unanimously, in the following terms:—

"That th? Conference is t f opinion that the interests of i-'ne Empire demand, as far as prie(ieab!e„ that its different portions should lie conmvctej bv the best possible, means of mail coinmunication travel anil traiisportalio.), | and that it is advisable that Hri- ' tain he eonnected with Canada, and throinrli Canada with Austin In rind New Zealand, liy «io best, service available within reasonable cost; that for the purpose of earryiug the above project into ellcct, -"iicli linaneial support as liny be necessary Should be contributed by llritaln ftinmla, Australia and New Zetland in equitable proportions." A COMMKKCIAL MAX'S OPINION". Per Piesn Association. Dimedin. .May 1.1. IWeiiinff to pioposed new steamer serine, Mi. .1. W llenton, president of the riiamliei of Commerce, laid what we. a .1 nt. as commercial men, is above all n j Irpenilnlile mail' service to avoid bucli minting delays a» peeurved during the ifet year of the 'Frigf'O snrvice. A three- |' *Ww£flß l &P wwU B,,it vcr y V«ll, J

•,'i'Piil n ciist, a fortnightly one would lie !'ivifi-:iliii.. •■l-:n ff ] am i |„ x,. w j,, ' yicniy days'' is n good catch phrase, ami hough it would not be safe to snv such i tliiii" is impossible, yet i nm "afraid •lint at present it is only a phrase. A ■'-'% knot service across Die Pacific is i .wit jiini]i from the li) to 17 knots of . li.' late True. |,outs, nu<l could only ■ii' ulitinii".) e( great cost. A twenty-six ir twenty ~:,;. .lay:,' service from Loll- "", '" ~•..;,;,! l„, aeeeptahle. H less, so iniiel, tie, l,,tter. Y wuul( l ,<omt out that llie Sue/, route, if the i-Di-crnnu'iit would arrange with tin) ■■ .S.S. Company for their hoats to con- ■ i.et, forms mi admirable subsidiary neul. mid in connection with n 20 to -S day service already mentioned, would •usil.v give prnetienlly a fmliiighil,- service. [ (rust that as Britishers we should, all lhiii S 's being erpial or nearly cijual, favor (he "All lied" route.