FEDERAL MAILS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 November 1907, Page 7

FEDERAL MAILS.

b-''irrif.loT n-irri-i'T frU lrt±!Dcil:..-"! V PRO VISIONS OP THE CONTRACT. EIGHT NEW' STEAMERS. ' DI IELEQBArfi—PEESS ABSQOIATION-^OPTEIQBI. . Melbourne, Novombcr ,16. Mr. Dealtin, the Fedoral Minister, explains that the mail contract, for which the subsidy is £170,000 per annum, provides for an extension of • the servico to Brisbane, with a. special servico to Hobart during six months of the year. Tho period of transit will bo reduced to 638 hours, a reduction of 08 hours.

'Steamors aro to bo built in accordance with plans, approved by the Government, each providing space for 2000 tons of cool storage. The first will be foady within eighteen months from the commencement of tho contract, and ono each year afterwards. ' Only white labour will be employed, without discrimination botween the unionist and non-unionist. ■ Provision is mado for the Government to purchase the steamers if they dosiro to do so.. ' j Power is resprvod to .cancel the contract after five yoars and obtain an improved service at an additional subsidy. The, plans of tho steamers must bo submitted within three .months of the ratication of tho contraot. Building work is to bo carried out with all reasonable dis-. patch'. The maximum charge for the carriage of buttor has been fixed at a halfpenny por pound, and fruit at 60s. per ton. Rates from all parts of the Commonwealth arc to bo the same. The contractors must withdraw from any combine or trust which tho Courts of the Commonwealth may decide to be illegal. The vessels will carry the Australian .flag, and bo fitted with wireless telegraphy. Tho contractors will continue the existing service' under present conditions until tho commencement of tho now contract. Tho now contract provides for, eight new steamors. A motion for tho printing of the contract was adopted by the Houso, and the debate adjourned till Wodnesday.