AUSTRALIA AND CANADA.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9282, 6 December 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIA AND CANADA.

CABLE NEWS.

THE VANCOUVER SUBSIDY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, December 5. As the Vancouver subsidy expires in May next the question of renewing it or otherwise will probably be decided before the present session closes. The Daily Telegraph commenting on the subject, says that when the subsidy was proposed three years ago the principal objection put forward was that the line was likely to do no more than divide amongst two the trade with America, which at that time was confined to one. Although the subsidy was granted the advantage of a double service was by many not considered great enough to compensate for the division, neither was it generally admitted that there were possibilities of developing any trade of importance between Australia and Canada through the medium of a direct service. It says the question now i 3 how far was this point of view justified. So far the interchange has not been encouragingly large, although there is reason to believe that the wool trade will ultimately derive benefit from the Vancouver line. The writer goes on to say that after dealing with the sentimental aspect of the service. Parliament will be wise to satisfy itself of the resuits before definitely committing the colony.