TO LONDON IN 27 DAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 24, 28 January 1911, Page 5

TO LONDON IN 27 DAYS.

AUCKJLAWD-VANCOTJVEB. SERVICE. SIE JOSEPH WARD INTERVIEWED. "The question of whether or not the Vancouver mail service will call 'at Auckland is now a thing of the past," declared Sir Joseph Ward to a "Star" representative this . morning on his arrival at Onehunga. "It is settled definitely that upon the completion of the existing service, a few months hence, a very fine service from both a passenger and mail point of view will be inaugurated, with the Makura, Marama, and a third vessel of a similar class, which is being built for the purpose. These boats will provide passenger accommodation certainly not behind that trading between New Zealand and the Old Country. I look forward, when the service is re-es-tablished, for an improvement in the time occupied in crossing Canada to the Atlantic, and also in the steamer service between Canada and England. When the service is in full swing in August next we should be able to carry mails and passengers from Auckland to London in 27 or 28 days, or possibly less. As time goes on there will necessarily be an improvement, which will insure it becoming an attractive route." "The settling of the matter," added Sir Joseph, "has been extremely difficult. Naturally we are friendly disposed to Australia. They have their difficulties in regard to the question of ports. But, in my opinion, a mail service to Canada cannot also form the purpose of a coastal service for Australia, any more than it can provide a coastal service for New Zealand. If, for instance, it were suggested that the new service between Auckland and Vancouevr should include two or three ports as calling places in New Zealand, Canada would object, on the ground that it would take away from the efficiency that was requisite—that of the quick transport of passengers and mails. It is hardly likely that Canada would agree to give a large subsidy without efficiency in.the direction indicated. Nor. do I think New Zealand would be justified in asking anything of the kind. So I/should apprehend considerable trouble in getting a second service running from Canada to Ausrtalia. and-1 hope that the interviews which will take place in London shortly between the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia, and I hope that the interviews a friendly and satisfactory settlement of all difficulties. New Zealand is not in any way zealous or opposed to tariff preference between Canada and the Commonwealth. Preference " between New Zealand and Canada already exists: 1 recognise that the, position of-tirade b«» tween the three "countries "in will be such as to-provide/ample "room for all. I Any reciprocal agreement between Canada ! and Australia we would welcome, for New Zealand is only anxious to see the development and extension of trade in every part of the British Empire. Naturally, we' rely upon the quality of our products to hold our own in legitimate trading, and in this respect we have nothing to fear for New Zealand." In reply to a question, the Prime Minister replied that the island service would not be sacrificed for the new connection, although the linking up with the Vancouver service at Suva will no longer be necessary after August next. The j island services would, however, be still I maintained. The new service, the Prime Minister added, will cost New Zealand £20,000 per year only, which is not to be considered a large sum by any means, in view of the benefits to.be derived. In the old days the San Francisco service cost New Zea-' land as much as £55,000 per V'ar, and the amount was gradually reduced to £20,000. Further reference to the questio nof an All-Red eerviee is likely to be made by the Prime Minister in the course of Ms speech at Devonport to-night.