THE MAIL SERVICES.

Evening Star, Issue 11677, 8 February 1902, Page 4

THE MAIL SERVICES.

MB DOTHIE’S HASTY STATEMENTS,

ANSWERED BY MR MILLS.

This morning we asked Mr James Mills, managing director of the Dnioil Steam Ship Company, whether he had any reply to make to the statement by Mr John Duthie at the Chambers of Commerce Conference in Wellington to the effect that the Union Company had in the past deliberately thwarted the best arrangements being made with regard to the ocean mail services, and had done so in order if possible to force New Zealand mails over the San Francisco route. Mr Mills said: I am surprised that a man of Mr Duthie’s long experience, speaking in his representative capacity, at a conference of Chambers of Commerce, should make such a statement. If he had taken any pains to acquaint himself with the facts he would not have committed himself to such a remark as that my company have deliberately thwarted a connection with the Federal mail service and so arranged their time-table as not to provide such commotion. Our present intercolonial time-table was thought out years ago, and is the result of years of experience, and the dates fixed for arrival and departure from Melbourne and Sydney are those which we have found by careful study best meet the requirements of trade and enable ns to get the most work out of our steamers. There are, I need hardly say, many important points to be considered when arranging a time-table for vessels doing such a service as ours, extending over a wide area, calling at many ports, and expected to maintain reasonable punctuality. If we could have made a suitable connection with the Federal steamers at Sydney in such a way as to work in economically and profitably with the requirements of our trade we would have gladly done so without subsidy. But, as I have said, to do this would have necessitated the readjustment-of services that now fairly meet the demands of the public, with probably the employment of an additional steamer; and certainly, with guaranteed sailings all the year round, it would oftentimes be irksome, especially during the winter months, when weather conditions are frequently unfavorable. As to the San Francisco service, the question of a connection with the Federal mail service has been fo™* and again, under the consideration both of the Government and ourselves. Some three years ago the Government asked for tenders, and we then offered to readjust our thne-table and proride a connection with the Federal mail service which would give them a weekly service all the year round for a subsidy of' £I,OOO a month. This wo looked upon at the time as much under the value of the service, but we were anxious it should not be thought that we were placing any obstacles in the way. The Government, however, looked at it otherwise, and considered our quotation ns out of the question, and the matter dropped. Mr Dnthie Knows this well enough. Surely therefore, if the blame is to be laid on any shoulders for the absence of the desired connection, it should rest with the Government, and not with the Union Company. I do not suppose Mr Duthie’s attack on the Union Company will be taken seriously by anyone who knows him, but his name has

in the past stood high in the political world, and no doubt importance may be attached to hia remarks by the general public. I am glad, therefore, that you have given me this opportunity of affording an explanation.