THE MAIL SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1910, Page 4

THE MAIL SERVICES.

•they have been actuated iv refusing to do justice to our claims. We gather from the Premier's attitude last night that he does not yet see matters from our point of view. But' we believe that our determination to secure "fair play" for the North is shared, as last night's gathering indicated, by public meu of all shades of political opinion in this Island; and we hope that the coming session will show that commercial organisations and public bodies of every political "colour," and our political representatives of all parties are now acting in unison to insist upon a frank recognition of the justice of our demands.

The information supplied by Sir Joseph Ward last night about the official negotiations for an improved mail service is certainly very encouraging. For there seems to be a reasonable probability that the existing Vancouver service can be modified, so as to touch New Zealand and include Auckland as port of call. The geographical advantages of Auckland, and its importance in our postal system, as explained by Mr. Guuson bust night, are strong arguments iv favour of preferring it to any other Now Zealand port iv arranging tho itinerary of such a service; and it is clear that,

not ot>!y h-.is Sir Jo.-jeph Ward represented Auckland's claims strongly to the Federal Government, but that the Canadian authorities are equally impressed with the advantages that may be secured Ly extending the Vancouver service to Auckland. At present, therefore, we have two or three

possi'bilitios open to us. It is quite conceivable thai the Federal PostmasterGeneral may accept the proposal to include Auckland in the servicii after the expiry of ihe contract in July, in return for v. New Zealand , subsidy; and it is also possible that the Canadian Government nia\- see its way to arrange its new contract with the Commonwealth so as to make room for Auckland. If nothing comes of all this, we could still do a great deal to improve the existing Vancouver Btrvice for our own purposes, ac Mr. Massey suggested last night, by ajranging for a regular and rapid connection both ways between Auckland and

Suva. But if the worst comes to tho worst, and if all other expedients fail us, we have Sir Joseph Ward's assurance thut in the last reeort we must get a ser-

vice of our own, even if we have to pay a great deal more for it. The Premier's decision on tliis point was received with loud applause by last night's representative public gathering; and the enthusiasm displayed over this subject should amply repay the efforts put forth by our Chamber of Commerce and its energetic president (Mr. J. 11. Gunson) and vicepresident ('Mr. L. Myers) to create a strong body of public opinion on this important question.