THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10786, 13 October 1900, Page 6

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

It is a matter for great regret that even for one year the Parliament of New Zealand should consent to grant a heavy subsidy to a foreign line of steamers expressly established for tha purpose of injuring British trade. That the payment of the special rate of 10s 5d per lb—more than three times the amount of the Postal Union rate—constituted a handsome subsidy to the Spreckels line was not denied. Mr. Ward admitted that the net cost of tne service to the colony, after deducting the postages received, would be about £15,000 a year, and that after the introduction of penny postage the annual loss would be increased to £17,000. It also came out during the debate that not only was the line established as an act of hostility to British trade, not only are the steamers to be at the service of the United States in time of war, but that the principal proprietor, Mr. Spreckels, had not hesitated to publish in his paper most offensive attacks on the British nation, and in particular on the man whom the British nation at present most delights to honoui— we mean Lord Roberts. How tha Parliament of New Zealand, knowing all this, could have brought themselves to give Mr. Bpreckels a subsidy of several thousand pounds a year we cannot for the life of us imagine. One would have thought that if they possessed one spark of manly independence, to say nothing of patriotic loyalty, they would tell him that he might take his steamers off and run them to Hong Kong before they would give him one penny beyond Postal Union rates for work and labour done.

That they did not take this proper and patriotic course ire cap only attribute to the fact referred to by Captain Russell, that tnembers are wearied out by the usual "bull-dozing", to which they are T subjected at this period of the session, in consequence of which they are unable to take a calm and judicial view of this or any other sub- ! ject. One thing was made quite clear during the debate, and that is that the House did not like the idea,of giving Mr Spreckeis a subsidy, and would not have agreed to Mr. Ward's motiqn if it had not been limited to one year. There was also a very strong opinion expressed that the Government ought, during that period, to make every effort, by negotiating with Canada and Australia, to secure an "all red" mail service -»y way of Vancouver. The Government are in honour bound to make these efforts, and the public will look to them to secure such a service with the least possible delay. Of course, it cannot be secured if, as Mr..Ward is reported to have «aid, "it is not the policy of the Government to give large bonuses extending over a term of years to mail steamers." Mr. Spreckels ia getting £50,000 a year from the American. Government for ten years, he is getting from this colony a subsidy which will involve us in a loss of from £15,000 to £17,000 a year, and he hopes—although in this we believe he wffi be disappointed— to- get a subsidy from Australia as well. Let New Zealand, in conjunction . with Australia and Canada offer anything like the same terms that Mr. Spreckels is getting, and we have cot the least hesitation in saying that a service not only equal to his, but better, will be established via Vancouver, and we shall further have tie satisfaction of knowing that we are fostering British trade instead of injuring it, and that we are providing armed cruisers which will, in time ef war, b* used for ua

and not against us. Such a service would [necessitate ■ probably four steamers costing some AI2GO,OQQ apiece. No one can expect any company to spend so much money without a fair guarantee extending over a reasonable period. We believe that there could be no better investment that this colony could make than the payment of a fair subsidy to such a service. A good line of steamers running to Vancouver would increase our trade, foster our tourist traffic, and make a most important addition to our system of defence.