THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11153, 20 December 1901, Page 6

THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

MR JAMES MILLS INTERVIEWED.

(SPECIAL TO "TBM PRESS. ,, ) WELLINGTON, December 19.

Mr and Mirs James Mills. returned to the colony by the Monowai to-day, and go South in that vessel. This evening I had. a conversation with Mr Mills in to the Vancouver service, but found that tliere was no new development to report. Mr Mills had seen the Premier during t&e course of the day, and had talked matters over with him. Sir Mills states that the. agreement with the Australian States concerning this service will expire in about eighteen months' time, and if a renewal of the ccntract can be secured upon satisfactory terms faster steamers will be put on. Mr Mills interviewed Sir Wilfred Laurier (Premier of Canada) and Sir R. Sievwright (Minister of Commerce) upon this matter whilst in Canada, and.in Melbourne he interviewed the Commonwealth Premier (Mr Barton) and the Postmaster-General (Mr Drake). He found all these leaders in strong sympathy with the development of the Vancouver service, and they promised to consider favourably the company's proposals when definitely* set before them. He is strongly impressed with the idea that, an important trade can be developed between America and Australia and New Zealand by means of this service.

Mr Mills has a place for New Zealand's interests in all his plans, and has a strong hope that when arrangements are completed for the improved service, the New Zealand Government will offer the company sufficient advantages to induce it to include New Zealand in the places at which the Vancouver steamers will call. The directors of the Canadian Pacific Railway are very much in accord with the New Zealand company's proposals, and in order to facilitate trade relations they are pending over Mr Stitty one of the most experienced of their passenger agents, to render expert help at the Sydney office. Mr Stitt knows something of New Zealand as a tourist resort, for he made a tour of the colony in February last. He will take up his Australian duties with the new year, and it is intended to adopt some of the American advertising ideas in giving prominence to the advantages of a route through Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.' :

During his stay in Australia Mr Mills found that many of the Australians had been very much upset by the Commonwealth tariff, and in Sydney, "particularly, the feeling was naturally very high against the big duties imposed. Nearly everything had been raised in price. A comparison of the retail prices in the Sydney shops of to-day with those of twelve months ago showed a great difference. The retailers had taken advantage of the tariff to put on something over and above the proportionate increase. So far as the tariff affected New Zealand and the Union Steam Ship Company there was an immediate loss to both the colony and the Company. It was perhaps too soon yet to judge whether the collapse of trade with the -Commonwealth would continue. Development* mast be awaited. So far as the Company was concerned, it might mean a. slackening of the service with, Australia, or the putting on of smaller boats or both. : _ • .

In regard to shipping in general, Mr.Mills mid that all round the world there had been a general drop in freights, and there ■Was a difficulty in finding employment. for transatlantic and Australian bound steamers, j There were indications of a fall in trade, which had been in evidence during the past half-year. He could nob say whether it was anything but a fluctuation following naturally upon-the boom caused by recent events in South Africa; Mr Mills has a good word to say for Mr Seddon's patriotism in connection with the sending of contingents to South, Africa. In consequence of our action in connection with the war, Hew Zealand was much better known no* only in Greater Britain; but also in other countries, suclx-#s Cepacia and America* ' " t