NEW MAIL SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 164, 11 July 1906, Page 5

NEW MAIL SERVICE.

BEGINS IN 1908. ______ DETAILS OF THE CONTRACT. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, July 10. Mr. Deakin, in the House of Representatives to-day, announced the particulars of the new mail service between Brindisi and Adelaide, alternating with a similar service to be provided by the Imperial Government. The contract is for 10 years, and it will replace the Orient Company's service when it expires in February, 190 S. The time of transit is to be 636 hours, which i 3 60 hours shorter than the present service, aud 26 hours shorter than the voyage provided for in the P. and O. Company's contract with the British Postmaster-General. The subsidy for the new service is to be £125,000 annually, but provision is made for the acceleration of speed. For every 24 hours gained there is to be a further subsidy, but it is not to exceed £25,000 per annum. Provision is made in the contract for the acquisition by the F-.deral Government of the steamers to be employed in the service by purchase, or alternatively fc-r their charter if desired. The port of registry is to be within the Commonwealth, and the vessels are to fly the Federal flag. White labour* only is to be employed on the vessels. Five tenders were received, and the accepted tender was the lowest. The agreement is made with Sir Jas. Laing and Sons, shipbuilders, Sunderland. There will be on the steamers three times the amount of cold storage at present available in the Orient steamers. The tonnage of the vessels is to be a minimum of 11,000. I Replying to an interjection, Mr. Deakin said he was unable to contradict 1 the statement that tb.B vessels would go to New Zealand. That would not, | however, affect their contract, and it would be a fortunate thing if New Zealand joined, for it would then become an Australasian service.