FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 228, 24 September 1903, Page 5

FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON. Wednesday

A reference was made to the San Francisco mail service in tiie House this afternoon, when Mr Duthie asked the Premier (1.) whether, in view of the transfer of the carrying trade of the colony from sailing ships to powerful steamers bringing large cargoes, and .which arrive out at brief intervals with much punctuality,, he recognised that the present tri-weekly mail service is insufficient, and causes much inconvenience through delay over shipping documents, and generally fails to meet the presentday requirement of trade and the growth of the colony: (2) whether he is aware of the great inconvenience arising in London to exporters from the frequent late arrival there of the New Zealand mail via San Francisco, which, by recurring delay, often arrives only as tiie outward mail is closing.- and merchants are so deprived of. an opportunity of replying to even most urgent matters of . correspondence; and (.'5) if he proposes, and in what manner, to meet the difficulties alluded to?

Mr Duthie. in asking the question, said that it was very important to business men that papers should arrive before the A'essels bringing cargo for Customs and other purposes, and thai the arrivals should be regular and punctual, which was not secured under the present tri-weekly service. He considered it very desirable that the colony should have connection with the weekly Federal service to Australia, and trusted that something would be done to improve the present state of affairs. In reply, the Premier stated that the Government recognised that under existing conditions the present tri-weekly service was insufficient, but there was a difficulty in the matter. The suggestion made by Mr Duthie seemed to be worthy of consideration, and would be dealt with. The . Government proposed that the matter should be dealt with fully when the mail propo-als were before the House. Mr Duthie expressed the hope that they would not be brought on at six o'clock in the morning, as were the Estimates. Tiie Premier said that so important a matter would be brought on when members were strong and vigorous.