THE PANAMA SERVICE.

West Coast Times, Issue 329, 12 October 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE PANAMA SERVICE.

[We lately published, as a parliamentary paper, a despatch from the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, on this subject. The following is a cop3 r of Mr Stafford^ reply.] Copy of a letter from the Hon. E. W. Stafford to the Hon. H. Parkes. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd Oct., 1866. Sic,— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your v letter No. 66-85, of the 1 st ultimo, returning the draft Articles j of Agreement between the Colony of New South Wales and New Zealand, relative to the Panama Steam Postal Service, with certain amendments. The Government agrees substantially to these amendments, and an" early opportunity will be taken to forward to you an instrument embodying the terms of agreement assented to between both colonies, for execution by the Government of New South Wales. I have to express my regret that it should have* appeared to you that any course suggested by me evinced a-disre-gard of the interests of New South Wales with the Panama Steam Service*, &s this Government has always considered that the two colonies,, New South Wales and New Zealand, have an equal interest "in the success of that service. As that success would,' however, to a great extent, be promoted by securing the cordial co-ope-ration of all the Australian Colonies interested therein, the suggestions of this Government were made with a view of avoiding a hostile attitude towards those colonies who arc as yet not parties to the contract, but rather, by friendly consultation, of induefng them to recognise that their interests, and especially those of ! Victoria, required a definite agreement to be made with regard to the transmission of their mails* If, however, as I infer from your late letter, those colonies are so indifferent' to the subject as to decline to enter into any such agreement, they must inevitably be subjected to the disadvantages which its absence will entail. In this matter the Government of New South wales and New Zealand can have only one ultimate object ; and, whatever differences of opinio i may hitherto have existed as -to the best means of attaining it, it is desirable that they should cordially unite in giving effect to those measures which they may both agree in believing to be most conducive to that end. . The information to whWi you refer, in the ninth-paragraph of your letter, as conveyed by telegram is incorrect No mails direct from Melbourne, except -by the first steamer, the Kaikoura, have teen received here for transmission by the Panama steamers, and strict directions have been given to the Chief Postmasters that no such mails are to be forwarded by the Panama mail steamers in future. Accordingly all such mails in future, if received in New Zealand, will bo sent to Sydney for transmission thence, so soon • as the necessary payment for their conveyance is made. It affords this Government much pleasure to reciprocate the anxiety expressed by his Excellency Sir John Young, on behalf of the Government of New South Wales, to continue in association with New Zealand in carrying out, this important service, which we earnestly believe will largely promote the best interests and beneficial influence of the colonies by which it has been established. I have, &c, E. W. STArrcRD. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. Prom the Hon. E. \V. Stafford to the Hon. H. Pavkes. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd October, 1866. Sir — With reference to my letter, No. 260, of the 13th August last, to which I have not been favored with any reply, I have now the honov to enclose a statement of account, showing the further payments made to the Panama New Zealand and Australian Steam Company, on account of the Panama Service, and the share of the subsidy due by the Government of New South Wales on account of it, for ,the months of July, August, and September last, and to request yon to be good enough to cause the sum now due; amounting to nine thousand one hundred and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and fonrpeiice, tobe remitted to the Government of New Zealand. I have"* also to request to be informed in whatimanner your Government proposes to make the payments for which New South Wales will be liable, as they become due each succeeding month.' I have, &c, E. W. STArroni). The lion, the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales.