The Evening Star TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2192, 17 May 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1870.

Although there cun be no doubt that the present mail service via San Francisco has not yet realised the expectations formed of it, we arc not inclined to coincide with the unqualified condemnation of Mr Vogel's arrangement indulged in by our Daily Contemporary, In this, as in all other matters connected with the present Ministry, he seems to lx; afllictcd with monomania, and ventures upon assertions which

full information proves to be as unfounded as they are rash. Nobody for one moment doubts that it would have been much more satisfactory to the ports son til of Auckland to have had Wellington for a point of arrival and departure for the mails via Ban Francisco, than Auckland ; and now that there is a chance of such a plan being effected, everybody can condemn the Auckland route. But in estimating the conduct of a man of business in concluding a bargain, it is only right to consider whether at the time ot cntoiing into it, he had opportunity ot milking a better. When Mr Vogel arranged the present unsatisfactory Ban Francisco route, Mr Webb’s proposals were not before the country ; it ivas not known that he was prepared to put any large steamers on the station , in fact nobody dreamt of there being anv likelihood of competition in the matter. Wg pointed out at the time, and Mr Collie’s proposals confirm it, that to induce steam proprietors to make Wellington the port of call, a heavier subsidy must be paid ; tor although it has the advantage of a good harbor, it has the disadvantage of not being a place of large trade. Compared with Mr Hall’s arrangement, Mr Collie’s scheme is a magnificent one. It will suit the South Island wonderfully well, always provided wc do not pay too dearly for it. tint we cannot help thinking that too much stress is laid upon the objections put forward to Dunedin being made the port of call. Mr Collie pointed to the draft of the large steamers to be employed, but he was uncertain as to what water they would require. He supposed about eighteen feet, for which, however, the Fort would be perfectly safe. Then it was said there might be a delay of twelve hours, which might or might not occur, for it would depend upon the time of tide or day at which the steamer made the Heads, As to the extra insurance, we consider that a myth. We are not aware that vessels chartered for Wellington are insured for less than if destined for Fort Chalmers, and the experience of many years proves how safely the Port might be made or left, almost in all weathers. Then the advantages of means for refitting and repairing that our graving dock will give us, are not matters to be overlooked. We do not think that Mr Collie would make any serious objection to Dunedin being the port of call, if no opposition were made to such an arrangement by the other Provinces. The question for us to decide is, are we tacitly to submit to such an arrangement, or is it worth our while to make a stand on the subject ? If it be a mere question of despatch of mails, it would not be worth the battle that would have to be fought, nor do we think the collateral advantage of trifling expenditure by passengers or for the purchase of fresh provisions need trouble us much. But Mr Collie anticipates the development of a large trade with America. He points out that although Mr Webb looks mainly to passenger fares to remunerate him, there is still room in the large class steamers for cargo. He anticipates that New Zealand will be able to supply California with a variety of produce that they are iu much need of there. He points to a demand for New Zealand butter and cheese, preserved meats, flax, and tallow. Now most of thews articles—all indeed except the last two—ure of that peculiar class that renders steam transit preferable to sailing freight, even supposing that the demand became so large for the more bulky articles its to render laying ships on for the trade justifiable. Jf therefore Otago hi to reap the advantage that should derived from this prospective new market for its produce, it is highly desirable that direct shipments shall be made at the Port, instead of having to incur the extra charge of first forwarding the goods to Wellington, with all the extra heavy cost ol twice loading and unloading. Neither do we think much objection would be made by the Victorian Government to such an arrangement. Communication with Dunedin is of more importance to Melbourne than with Wellington, end would be so regarded. Bo far as Australia is concerned, the chief obstacle would be New Bouth Wales, whose interest is manifestly first to foster its connection with Auckland, and failing that, to make Wellington the port of arrival and departure. if Dunedin cannot have that advantage, let us have Wellington by all means.