THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8443, 16 May 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

AUSTRALASIAN MAILS. FAST VANCOUVER SERVICE FAVOURED. Received May 15, 1 2.13 p.m. LONDON, May 14. The Imperial Conference adopted a resolution in favour of a fast steamer service between London and Australasia via Vancouver. The British Government is willing to co-aperate with the colonies in providing a subsidy. ' Received Riay ,15. -9.27 p.m. LONDON, May 15. At the Imperial Conference Sir W. Laurier , submitted a resolution favouring the i\stribliyhment of a mail service to Australia and New Zealand, via Canada. The proposals are divided into two parts, one affecting the Atlantic and the other the Pacific! Trie proposed Atlantic service should equal the existihg service to New York, a saving of two days, as the difference in favour of Halifax was 900 miles. He allowed four days on the sea. and four across Canada by mean? of the accelerated service. He 'proposed on the Pacific side to establish a service of at least 18 knots, which would bring Sydney within: 24 days of London. He admitted that it would be difficult to start such fast steamers immediately. The cost would foe borile by several contributing Governments in equitable shares. Canada would contribute to both the shipping services, as she was interested in the maritime trade of both oceans., '

Sir W. Laurier's proposal contemplated improving the existing service to China and Japan. He hinted that Canada was prepared [to subsidise up to a quarter of a million. Received May 15, 10.24 p.m. LONDON, May 15. '

Mr Deakin warmly commended the proposal so far as Canada was concerned. He doubted if Australia and New Zealand could obtain a service quicker than they already possessed j for a reasonable price. Owing to two \ transhipments the line would only do for mails-and passengers. Australia J was encouraging swifter means of communication through the Suez Canal and the Cape, which saVed transhipment, but was interested in both the Eastern and Western routes. If such a project as Sir.W. Laurier's could be placed on a sound financial basis Australia's interest for postal purposes might almost equal New Zealand's. ■ >■ Sir W. Lyne' feaied that a very large subsidy would be required. It I would probably take thirty days'to i reach Australia via New Zealand, since it was necessary to stop four £ times before reaching Sydney. The 1 present trade was not great, but he c thought Parliament would look favourably on the scheme. It was certainly desirable, and deserved enquiry. He uftderstood that the last three knots would double the coal consumption. Sir J. G. Ward was greatly disappointed at the suggested speed, f which certainly would not satisfy , New Zealand, since it would only bring her within' 28 days of London; j which she had already enjoyed via , San Francisco. It would be impossible to get awfully equipped fast mail , service unless Britain, Canada, Australia and JNew Zealand joined hands , in paying a subsidy of £300,000 to , £400,000. Such a sum divided among all would fall comparatively light, and ought to supply a 2§-knot service between England and Canada, and also a2O to 2Wcnot service via. , Vancbuver to Australia and New Zea- 1 land. Stopping places like Honolulu, - • Suva and Auckland were compara- , tively short distances apart with , suitable coaling depots, v A high speed could be maintained if modern ' high-powered steamers were pro- ! vided. Jt was worth while to pay a high subsidy for a 24 or 26-day service. It would be necessary for New Zealand to Jbe the first port of call. If the steamers called at Sydney first and New Zealand last, New Zealand would not contribute. Sydney must b® the terminal: port where the steamers would remain fully'a week coaling and overhauling. ;If the steamers.touched • New Zealand., first it would only be necessary to remain a few hours. New Zeaalnd 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 all the money they were spending on immigration if they established a fast service, and adequate third-class accommoda'tion with cheap transit across Canada. He preferred to spend New Zealand's money in supporting an allBritish route, and a fortnightly service to making a direct grant to emigration. The Suez Canal route takes six weeks, and was tending to keep New Zealand in the back woods. The scheme he favoured would revolutionise communication. He urged that tenders should be invited with a view to ascertaining the cost of an 18, 19, 20 and 21-knots service. New Zealand would not remain without a direct service for mails and passengers to England. He urged co-operation . among" the British possessions. Unless the matter was approached in a; broad spirit New Zealand's only alternative would be to increase her subsidy to revive the service across the United States. He .hoped that that would be unnecessary, but sopiething practical must ] be done without unnecessary delay., Mr F. R. Moor remarked that if the .Tapail and China lines were included the All Red route would become yellow. Mr Lloyd George regretted that Sir W» Laurier's proposal had not >. been submitted in time to enable the i Government to put forward their r view's. If great speed was essential » the cost might be absolutely prohi- ' bitive. The best plan would be for : these proposals and others which might be submitted by Australia—for instance regarding the Suez Canal ! ro ute—be the subject of expert in- ) vestigation by representatives of the British, and Conlonial Governments. Sir W. Laurier said he was de- , lighted that New Zealand thought the j proposals not far enough. Ihe matter was riot one for experts, but a ques-

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iion taf tpolicy. He was prepared to saimend ithe resolution to secure harmony. The ireaolution was finally carried unanimously in the following terms: —"l Chat this Conference is of opinion that Ihe interests of the Empire demand as ifar as practicable that its different portions should be connected oy ithe Jaest .possible* means with mail communication, travel and transportation,; that it is advisable that Great Britain should be connected with Canada, .through Canada with Australia and New Zealand, by the best service available within a reasonable cost; that for the purpose of carrying the abos® project into effect such financial support as may be necessary should be contributed by Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zea- 1 land In equitable proportions. . i