THE VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12129, 27 February 1905, Page 6

THE VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE.

The Government, we believe, fully realise the strong feeling that exists in this colony in favour of opening up » direct steam service with Canada, and

we are glad -to*learn that Sir Jeeeph' Ward is carrying en negotiation* with that object i_t view. For our part we do not think a cargo service alone would meet the case, and it must be obvious that it' is no use offering a subsidy of £10,000 for one year only in the hope of inducing any steamship owners to jwovide a service such as is required. What is wanted is a line of steamships conveying passengers and mails as well as cargo. It was stated some time ago that the Canadian-Aus-tralian S.S. Co., whose boats at present run to Queensland and Sydney,] were willing to substitute a New Zea- ' land port for Brisbane, in return for a moderate subsidy from this colony, and this is undoubtedly the best arrangement which could be made. It would not only bring us into direct communication with the great Dominion, but it would stimulate tourist traffic and give us an excellent mail service to alternate with that via San Francisco if the latter i. to be retained, or as a substitute for it, if it ia to be abolished. It is true that travellers to and from New Zealand already use the Vancouver service, but they object to the transhipment and delay at Fiji, and their numbers would be greatly increased if tho steamers called at some port in New Zealand. As to cargo, it is difficult to forecast how much is likely to be forthcoming, but judging from the experience gained when wo had a line of steamers running between Wellington and Vancouver, wo should say that it is quite possible for a large and profitable trade to be developed. Tho advantages of an all-red service to this colony aro so evident, and so substantial, that wo hope the Government will strain j every effort to get it established. It was very unfortunate that we allowed such a service to drift away from us when we had it in existence, and if the present opportunity is allowed to pass it may be many years before wo shall get another chance of linking up the Empire in tho same way.