THE ALL-RED ROUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 208, 7 October 1909, Page 2

THE ALL-RED ROUTE.

MORE DIFFICULT THAN EVER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Nigftt. In an interview with a Tost reporter to-day, Sir Joseph Ward (PostmasterGeneral) referred to a statement made in that paper in reference to the All-lU'd route, wherein it was stated that: 'The scanty attention which he paid to r.he matter after his return from the Im«

perial Conference (in 1907) seemed l« 11 show that he recognised himself that a I S!0-days' service between London and I Auckland was a Utopian vision which it might take many years to realise." "As a matter of fact," said Sir Joseph, "there was no inaction. The Government ottered £75,000 per year for ten years for an All-Red service (subject to ratification by Parliament), if the other Parliaments concerned did their part. ! 1 mean, of course, the Parliaments of Great Britain, Canada and AustraPa. We were the only Government that did make any offer. *The other was treate.i as confidential, and had to be so treatod at the time, so that the various Governments could take united and simultaneous action in the event of the scheme developing. Owing to the development which hud taken place in the trans-At-lantic service, the subject had not neon , further advanced. From independent cm|iiiries it seems that tlie possibility oi ',.'>> ranging an All-lied service is now i | fraught with greater difficulties than • ever. It is known that the Xew Zea • ' land Government is ready to do any- • I thing in reason, but there appears to - be pome doubt that the other Govci.i- ---» ments concerned are prepared to do • what may be claimed to be their lcgiti- / mate share, taking the relative inter- ■■• ests of the parties into account."