PACIFIC MAIL SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 14532, 7 December 1910, Page 4

PACIFIC MAIL SERVICE

MELBOURNE WANTS TO COME IN.

WOULD MEAN A NEW SERVICE.

Press Association—By Telegraph.—Copyright.

MELBOURNE, December 6 (Received December 7, at 9.30 a.m.)

Replying to a Chamber of Commerce deputation, which asked that in the new contract for the Vancouver service provision should be made for the steamers to come to Melbourne, Mr Hughes said the Government were very -whole-heartedly in favor of reciprocal trado with Canada. The situation, however, was complicated by the position of New Zealand, which was also anxious to have a speedy communication with Canada. New Zealand had a very satisfactory fiscal arrangement with Canada, which Australia had not, and it would be an exceedingly short-sighted policy to place New Zealand in a ranch, more favorable position than Australia, uhe -would bo able, because of conditions with which we could not compete, to supply Canada's wants. The ships would be loaded, with practically the same class of goods from both countries, and their origin would not be distinguishable, but yet they would bear thoir different charges, and that would be a very serious bar to Melbourne. Mr Hughes added that Mr Fisher would be in London next year, and would then have an opportunity of meeting tsir W. Laurier and other Canadian delegates, which would afford the chance of reaching an understanding that he (Mr Hughes) had no doubt would be approved by subsequent legislation. The new (service, which, unless it was very much accelerated, could not include Auckland, would have to bo something more than a twenty-two days' service, and to come to Melbourne would mean its complete dislocation; in fact, if vessels called at Honolulu, Fiji' Auckland, and Brisbane, or Auckland', Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, it would require an entirely new service, and it would be unwise !o nave slow steamers in order to save £30,000 yearly, as the passenger trade was worth nearly as much as the 3 freight. Auckland ought certainly not to be excluded unless its inclusion prejudiced Australia very seriously. An eighteen-day service would cost £105,000 a year, aiid what the Commonwealth's share would be would depend whether New Zealand participated. Under any circumstances, the present subsidy would have to be doubled.