THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10862, 11 January 1901, Page 5

THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

OPINION OF TIIE POSTMASTER GENERAL.

(FBE.3* ASSOCIATION TKLtOBAM.) WELLINGTON, January 10. The PostmasterUener.il says tbut doubt* ]ms an offer will be nia<!« to get the Vancouver Steamers to make New Zealand a place of call. We requite, in his opinion, Doth Vancouver atid Nun Francisco services, and the rivalry between the two lines would have v. healthy effect. The inclusion of New Zealand in the Vancouver route would necessitate the dropping of the Queensland connection to ensure anvthint; like a speetjv mail tervice. Th<! subsidy now paid by Canada to Queensland und Now South Wales i«, in round /iguro, £"O,COO per annum, and the contract r. ill not expire till 1902. If reasonable term* are propostd. he ban no doubt the Government will favourably consider them. Notwithstanding the ei?i"cts of the American navigation !rtw, Mr Ward think* New Zealand should continue to maintain the TrUco line. (special to "the ttisss.") WELLINGTON, January iO. Mr Ward, referring to the Vancouver irervice, says that he Iris not yet been approached on the Kubject. nnd it ia a little difficult to say what might bs done ia reward to such a vevy important mutter, beyondj in a general way, stating that the Government favours the connection with Vancouver, but if sin enurmoiuly high mib*idy h required to bring it about, the mattf r ■would require serious consideration. "In *ny case," ho said, "I am glad to see that the Union Company hits got into that »erVi<*e with its steamers. The exclusion of tlw Company from the San Francisco service was a mutter that we all regretted. If reasonable terms are proposed, I have no doubt the Government would favourably consider them. A mail ami connection, to say nothing of v slowly developed cargo business, between New Zealand and a great continent like- America, ought not to be lightly vii.st aside even Upon sentimental ground*; and. speaking for myself. I should be prepared to support both cervices—in fact, the more shipping services we have the butter for the public and the colony generally. ' There is, .Mr Ward thinks, bound to be a strong rivalry between th« two lines and the fact ff Hueh evident life being put into the Vancouver service by the enterprising Union Company joining it, points to the poHsibility of an improved service by both routes o» this colony grows in popularity with the tourist.-* of the Old World. Hβ thinks there is no reason why both line* ihould not ba maintained to the advantage of th« stttuaJihip owners und generally to Uw benefit of tha colony.