URGENT WORKS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 848, 21 June 1910, Page 6

URGENT WORKS.

AUCKLAND'S POINT OF VIEW. MAIL SERVICES AND RAILWAY'S. ! (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, June 20. Tho Auckland Chamber of Commerce at its last meeting instructed its president (Mr. J. H. Gunson) to place on re- , cord and bring before, the Government 1 what tho chamber advocates as works of most pressing importance, and which In the opinion of the chamber most vitally concern the north. Mr. Gunson has accordingly forwarded to Sir Joseph Ward a lengthy' communication dealing with matters which it is felt should receive immediate attention at the bunds of the Government. "We ale aware," lie has written to Sir Joseph Ward, "that the question of ocean mail services is receiving your earnest attention, and that at the m.omcnt nothing further can be done towards the consummation ol an improved service between this Dominion and Canada, en route to London. * We understand that the present position is as follows, via:—The Canadian Government is calling tenders for a service for a period up to five years over three alternative routes, returnable on November 1, 1910. In two of the proposals Auckland is included ua a port of call. In the event of either of the two latter routes being: selected by the Canadian Government in conjunction, wo presume; with the Commonwealth of Australia, it would furnish New Zealand with the service commencing August, 1911, which wo havo for some time been pressing; but should the proposals bo vetoed and Neiv Zealand not included in the new contract, wo rely upon your recent declaration that the Government is prepared to pay more money and institute a service of its own, and that, we take it, without delay. ' In view of these circumstances, particularly in relation to the fact that Canada has now the matter in Land, this chamber in the meantime is content to allow tho matter to rest where it is. There is one aspect, however, under existing circumstances which we would again commend to the earnest attention of the Government, and that is the proposed connection at Suva to bring tho incoming New'Zoaland mail direct to Auckland. The president of this chamber understood from you that the subsidy required for such a connection was .£17,000 per annum. We agree with you that that is too largo a sum, being quite disproportionate to subsidies paid for comparable services. We would suggest that it might be well to consider this as a tomoprary connection (that is, providing the service, could be secured for a reasonable subsidy) pending the consummation of a regular, rapid, and up-to-date servic& to New Zealand. ( If this temporary connection is not arranged, it means (failing a successful issue to the recent negotiations with Australia for a call hero with the new yearly contract commencing August next) that we would remain for a further fifteen months under the present unsatisfactory condition whereby the incoming American and Canadiati mails, although on arrival at Suva they are within four days' steam of Auckland, yet are carried on to Australia, taking somo eleven days to reach New Zealand. "We would press (tho letter continues) for the early commencement of work on the Waihi end of the East Coast railway. The energetic-construction of the North Auckland line (from a point to which the lino. has. already reached) to Mangonui is of urgent; importance. With respect to the Stratford-Ongarue lino, we would strenuously advocate tho commencement of work at the Ongarue end, and the energetic construction of the line from that point. This is ono of the important main lines in tho Dominion, and should be vigorously pushed on. There is a very great necessity for further railway extension in tiie North Island generally. Fortunately, the South Island requirements in this respect are. and havo teen for many years, well provided for, leaving little, if anything further, to be desired for years to come. In the North Island, on tho contrary, wo are being lamentably handicapped for lack of proper railway communication." • The Prime Minister is also urged to facilitate opening up of Crown and Native lands.