The Oceanic Company.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 150, 9 January 1902, Page 3

The Oceanic Company.

Sydney, January 6. Burns, PhiTp and Company, as agents for the Oceanic Company, have forwarded a letter to the Federal PostmasterGeneral outlining the Pacific mail service proposals. They refer to the marked expansion of the American-Australian trade during the last ten years, and the probability of still greater expansion in the early future. As indications of future expansion and the improvement of traffic in the Pacific, they state that two 10.000 thirty-knot- steamers are now being bin it for the trade between San Francisco and China, and that other important developments between San Francisco, Manila and Honolulu are being pushed forward. The letter continues ;—“ If the development of trade which seems to be foreshadowed is at all realised, both America and Australia will probably soon think a fortnightly service imperative.” Dealing with the various routes, the letter sugge-its Sydney to San Francisco, via Suva and Honolulu, would be the quickest. By this route, it is claimed that the company could, without any increase of the present speed of steamers, carry mails from Sydney to San Francisco in eighteen days. Its adoption, which would avoid a detour to New Zealand would require special arrangements to meet the interests of that important colony. This could be secured by running a steamer to connect with the Oceanic vessels at Suva. The New Zealand mails could then be carried through Auckland to San Francisco also in eighteen days. It might be a day or two longer; but if the service became fortnightly New Zealand would be better served than at present, for she would have a mail every fortnight, instead of every 21 days. In regard to a service to London via San Francisco, the Company had already shown that letters can be delivered in 32 days, despite the detour to New Zealand. If a contract of importance is made the Company will be enabled to make special arrangements to fit the Pacific service in with the express trains across America, and lines of swift steamers across the Atlantic ; but without reckoning on the improvements still to be made, the Company is in a position to offer an attractive contract for the conveyance of mails right through to London. Indeed, we understand the directors have already made representations to the Imperial Government on the subject. The Sydney Morning Herald says that the Oceanic Company’s pr .posals form a tempting ofi’set to the scheme. There are objections to Britain abandoning the Suez contracts, which fit in with the Indian and far Eastern arrangements. Thore are also objactions to both Britain and Australia paying large subsidies to a service which is carried on exclusively by American ships under American contracts, and contemplated as part of American commercial expansion. Beyond these considerations there is the opinion, now largely entertained, that the day of maritime subsidies is drawing to a close, and that trade will make it worth while to carry mail matter at littla more than cargo rates, and yet give as quick service as the colonies now have. The Daily Telegraph says that the shipping connection is the root of the matter. The American polioy is one of crystallised aggressive exclusiveness, and even if some reciprocal arrangement between the Republic and the Commonwealth could be made a condition would undoubtedly bo made resulting in trade being carried in American ships. It is stating the proposal of the Oceanic Company frankly and acouratel y to say that it is that Australian money shall be spent bo help on the realisation of tne all American idea in regard to tha Pacific In view of the fact that a British line can be obtained presumably at about the same price,, it considers it not worth waile to give the Oceanic Company anything like large terms for an immediate fast service, with the shadowy coance of reciprocal trade wi h America carried on American ships ; but the money aspect is a minor one. Greater consideration for a small present gun for the Commonwealth might do great injury to its own and the Empire’s shipping interests. _ Auckland, January 7.

Referring to the proposal* made to the Australian Goverumeut for a change in the route of the San Francisco steamers, the Auckland agent of the Oceanio Company states that ha would be sorry to see Auckland taken off the direct route, bub he believed that the proposals were the outcome of the unfair treatment the service had received at the hands of the New> Zealand Government and Parliament. It was no secret that Mr Spreokels was dissatisfied with the present terms, and he had no doubt made up his mind not to be at the mercy of New Zealand by the time the contract name to be renewed.