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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3965, 13 September 1881, Page 2

question of giving a subsidy to a steam service to tbia colony'llia's beeu reported upou by a com* of the House, and by several of Commerce iv the colony. idea was brought forward by Mr and the contemplated service make Fort Chalmers its principal of call, greatly benefiting, no doubt, Southern portion of the colony. The Chamber of Commerce have Hm discussing the question, and by a telegram we learn the result of its' liberations. The Chamber could not Hll refuse to endorse the determination direct service being secured for the Hony, but no doubt a little feeling of ■lousy oi Otago has had a great deal to B towards the adoption of a report some* phat different from that brought forward by (he Parliamentary Committee. The Christchurch Chamber consider the terms recommended by the above Committee much too liberal, and think the colony is iot warranted in paying d2fio,ooo a year, n lieu of the Parliamentary proposals, le following suggestion is put forward : mt Government should, if possible, ike arrangements for a period of two or pee years, at a cost not exceeding 5,000 per annum, for the extension of c of the present Australian services to ew Zealand, or that, failing the practi* jility of such arrangements, Governsnt should proceed forthwith to verfcise its requirements thoroughly in ngland and the colonies, and invite iders, contemplating the payment of a rtain sum as a subsidy, simply without y condition as to participation by the ony in the nett earnings. The Comttee also urge that any contracts should t be entered' into for more than seren aru # by wliich time the Pauaum C'uual

will be opened ; that preference be given to contractors within the colony ; that no stipulation should be made to have steamers specially built, as there are already pleuty afloat suitable; and that New Zealand be recommended to the contractors. They think the Parliamentary Committee has not over estimated the matter of outward freight, but opinions differ as to the quantity of frozen meat available for export. The committee go into calculation^ showing that 1000 tons per annum of-mutton may be exported from Canterbury, but they are unable to estimate the amount of beef likely to be raised.