THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1902, Page 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

LATEST AMERICAN

PROPOSALS

AUSTRALIAN OPINIONS

(By Cable.—Press Association.—

Copyright.)

(Received 9.24 a.m.)

SYDNEY, this day.

The "Sydney Morning Herald" says the free trade capital of a free trade State does not regard the American Senate's proposed vote for the extension of the Pacific trade with either indignation .or., dismay. These ships that .visit our shores, the' "Herald" says, will not come or go empty, and it is not our theory, at all events, that the ; State loses by external commerce. j The point is that they cannot run their steamers without doing us benefit and cultivating trade. The Federal Postmaster-General will probably agree to pay poundage on Australian mails sent via San Francisco, but whether he will go further in the direction invited by Mr. Spreckels is open to strong doubt. SYDNEY, this day. Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co., in a letter to the Sydney press in reply to criticisms on the previous letter in reference to the proposed changes in the Oceanic mail service, admit the company is a foreign one, but state that there are foreigners and foreigners, and claim that the term is applied by Australians to Americans in a very different spirit to the meaning generally attached to it. The letter proceeds: "We do not ourselves anticipate that if any distinct gain is to be obtained by Australia it would be rejected because it was associated with a branch of ''"''the Anglo-Saxon race whose home is in America." In regard to the criticism that it is intended to leave New Zealand out in the cold, it is aga'ift urged that New Zealand would be much better served by the proposed connecting line than the present three-weekly service, though the steamers do call at Auckland.

(Received 9 a.m.)

MELBOURNE, this day.

The "Age," commenting on Burns, Philp & Co.'s letter, says any serious consideration of Mr. Spreckels' proposals by the Commonwealth is hardly likely, for the best of all reason's, because they would interfere with the interests of the Australasian mercantile marine. The desire is just as strong here as in America to give preference to locally-owned steamers. That the Pacific waterway of the future is to be a matter of considerable importance is fully recognised in America. To Australasia it is equally, if not more, important that the carrying trade should be retained in British hands. To subsidise a foreigner would be a lamentable error.