OCEAN MAILS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 799, 23 April 1910, Page 4

OCEAN MAILS.

THE' EXPIRING CONTRACTS.

THE AUCKLAND ATTITUDE.

Considerable time and attention are being devoted by Mr. J. H. Gunson, president of the Auckland Chamber <of Commerce, to the matter of New Zealand mail services, more especially as they affect Wellington. Interviewed by ail "Auckland Herald" reporter on Thursday, as to what action he was taking, Mr. Guuson referred to the Wel-lington-Tahiti service, for which a subsidy of £7000 per annum is paid..This subsidy expired this week with, the sailing of the Mokoia. "I have," said Sir. Guuson, referring to the Tahiti service, "b«m iu communication by telegram' with Sir Joseph Ward, who dnforme me that the subsidy will be renewed until Parliament meets:, To this, of coarse, no exception can be taken, in view or the fact that Parliament originallj sanctioned, the subsidy. This meane that probably two other sailings will,, tako place before the question will come' before the House for decision. ( "The Auckland Chamber of: Com', merce, at the time the matter was any took a strong stand againej tt, and is still opposed to the renewal of this subsidy. Telegraphic newe on the arrival of the Mokoia on the last inward trip intimated that there was practically no cargo, and but ten paa" sengers. In view of the fact that the service caters neither lot tourist traffic nor for trade, and that the time ia 22 days from San Francisco to Wellington, with one sailing every 36 days, it would seem that there can.be no justification for its renewal. The connection from Tahiti to San Francisco'is , also unsatisfactory. The .company at Tahiti refuse to carry any New Zealand cargo if there is French or American offering.' "Secondly, there is the heavy' enSsidy of, £15,000 paid to /the Union S.B. Company for carrying mails out of Wellington on Friday night to Sydney," said Mr. Gonson. "Previously the company ran out on Saturday night;-but, for;leaving a night earlier, in order to connect with the Snea. jaaiL, ' and for carrying the mafls, they : receive the subsidy of £15,000 per annum. This contract expires in Julj next. Both these questions are now before the Chamber, and in the conjee of a short time a general .meeting will be called to consider the whole position." From the figures quoted, Mr. Gnnsoa said it would be.seen that for these two services—both -unsatisfactory and"slow , — i the Government was paying the sum of £22,000 per annum, as against the. sum of £18,000 which was paid for the ' late 'Frisco service. The payment of this £22,000 did not comprise, by any means, the total payments by way of poundage and subsidy for oversea mails. The Auckland Chamber was collecting all the data; and would be fully posted before taking action. With regard to the American subsidy, Mr. : Gnnsoa added that cables were Btill passing between himself and the authorities in the States, and it was to be hoped that at an early date he would be able to : announce something. satisfactory, which will enable the Chamber to make clear representations to the Government.