CABLE NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 289, 12 June 1907, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

quite a common thing for a steamer to travel between London and America at 21 or 22 knots. I hold the same speed could be maintained between Vancouver and New Zealand and Australia., provided the countries concerned were prepared to pay a subsidy large enough to the owners of the class of steamers mentioned. To take up the trade would necessitate a subsidy of about £400,000 a year. Although this is a large sum, it could be borne if divided proportionately between the countries concerned. Asked whether such a service would not interfere with the Suez Canal service, Sir Joseph re- ' plied: "My opinion is that it would ' not. The service I advocate would ! cause an increase of traffic. Wherever great steamer facilities for pas- 1 senger traffic have been provided, I they have resulted in such an enor- ! mous increase in trade that, instead of injuring existing lines, they have caused the establishment of additional lines to cope with the traffic. This ' has been the experience in the At- ' lantic trade; where, of course, them is a large population at the end of the line. We in Australia must look forward to a large increase of population in years to come, and by establishing a most up-to-date pa&lbnger service, we would be doing much to attract immigrants to our shores.. So far as New Zealand is concerned, we will leave nothing undone to establish such a service." At both the Imperial and Naviga- i tion Conferences. I advocated the reduction of the Suefc Canal dues. The present high rates handicapped the development of the colonial- trade, causing the bulk of the imports and exports to be carried round the Cape. "It seems t<> me," continued Sir Joseph, "it is monstrous that the rates should be so high that ordinary cargo steamers are almost prohibited from using the Canal." It is impossible, .in view of the speeches made by the Australian representatives, that some alteration will be made in the near future.