THE PACIFIC MAIL QUESTION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 15, Issue 2012, 9 December 1870, Page 3

THE PACIFIC MAIL QUESTION.

(From the Correspondent of the "Southern Cross.") San Fbancjsco, October 12. Phobably, no subject that is available tome will be of more general interest to your readers than the present position, in this country, of tbe question of the Mail Service between the colonies and California. Judging from the files of colonial papers to band, it appears manifest enough that among Australians the facts are not realised that there is a thorough determination in this country to run a first-class line of steamers, and to run it in such a way as to almost exclusively benefit such colony or colonies as may take an interest in its establishment. The desire here, of course, is that all may be brought to share in the advantages sure to arise from so important an adjunct to the trade of the colonies. . But at the same time it is considered here that if Victoria or any other colony persists in remaining out in the cold, they have themselves alone to blame if they find that very special pains are being taken to prevent their sharing in advantages which they do not appear to appreciate, and a fair moiety of the expense of which they are not prepared to pay. The fact is, Americans are on their mettle in reference to this subject ; and when Cousin Jonathan gets his back up, it is proverbial that he will stick at very little in order to ensure success. There are several reasons, perhaps not well understood in the colonies, why at this juncture America should be mindful of everything pertaining to the Pacific trade. In the first place, at an enormous expense to herself she has built a grand transcontinental railway, which, in an engineering point of view, is probably the greatest achievement of tin's or any other age. To make this noble enterprise successful pecuniarily, new openings for trade and travel are requisite. With, perhaps, a pardonable vanity, Americans are pleased to call the Pacific Railroad " a highway for the nations." What it is in name they are determined to make it in fact. Hitherto, America, from the stormy region of Cape Horn to the perpetual snows of Greenland, has formed a barrier, as it were, between the old world, on the one side, and China, Japan, Australasia, and the Isles of the Pacific on the other. This barrier has been successfully bridged. A new channel for trade and travel has been given to the world, and the necessity arises to the American mind to draw towards it trade from all available points. In closely scanning the outlook for such openings, the commerce of the Pacific has naturally enough attracted the keen eye of Uncle Sam. Japan and China seemed the most available, and accordingly a powerful steam line was immediately put on, a subsidy of £8100,000 per annum having been voted by Congress for that purpose. So successful has it already proved that a large portion of the English and European travel to the countries named passes through San Francisco, and it is now proposed to -run the steamers forniyhtly instead of monthly as hitherto. This initial step in a commercial policy for the Pacific Ocean having proved a success, attention soon began to be devoted to the idea of a more intimate connection with your golden lands. A glance at the map of the world showed that the route via San Francisco was the most direct between the mother country and New Zealand and Australia. Earnest friends of the colonies were not wanting who possessed a thorough knowledge of the subject, and were able to command such a hearing through influential journals as soon brought the Australian mail question into prominence. An earnest public opinion in its favour was soon created. The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce was the first to take action. The Legislature of the State of California followed suit, and asked Congress to grant a subsidy to establish a line of first-class vessels of not less than 2,000 tons burden. A bill was introduced into Congress to give effect to this request at a late period of the session and was received with such marked favour that it came very near getting through all its stages prior to the adjournment. It stands over as unfinished business, and will be taken up at the point at which it was left, and will beyond all question be a law within a few weeks of the meeting of Congress, which is fixed for the Ist of December. So certain are its promoters of its becoming a law that it is understood they are willing to accept it as being as good as passed, and to treat at once with the colonies as if it were, and upon the basis which the bill provides for ; namely, that the colonies shall pay one-half the total requisite subsidy, America paying the other half. Whilst these steps were being taken, the New Zealand Government, in connection with Mr. Hall, of Sydney, took time by the forelock and started a line of exceedingly inefficient steamers. These have sufficed to abundantly show how unquestionably advantageous this route up the mild and balmly Pacific really is. Though they have been deficient in accommodation, power, and speed, and although from five to six days have usually been lost at Honolulu, they have yet been able to deliver their mails in New Zealand within a period that defies the competition of the P. and O. Company, and if I mistake not even Melbourne and Sydney hayQjj]tfokinn ence been indebted to it for important news. This, it is cer-tam-j-'will be invariably the case when fast -Steamers occupy the route, and when their days of sailing are fixed midway between those of the P. and O. Company. The present temporary line started by the plucky Mr. Hall, I take it, cannot continue to run. This conclusion is for mnny reasons a safe one. The steamers employed are too deficient in accommodation to permanently secure a passenger traffic, and, what is more, they are too deficient in power to make with success round voyages of 10,000 miles. It will soon be found that this is trying them beyond their capacity, the result of which will be "breakdowns" of such frequent occurrence as to render them unreliable, and, therefore, useless. But there is another and still more conclusive reason why they cannot continue to run. The North Pacific Transportation Company will cease to connect with them at Honolulu, the line having accomplished, what its promoter, Mr. Hall, contemplated — namely, to demonstrate the value of the route ; it is

understood that he is satisfied to fall into any new and more perfect arrangements that may be made^at this end. WHAT IS BBISG DOKE HEBE. I may now proceed to mention a certain important action that ha 3 been taken here within a few days of the sailing of the present mail, in reference to the proposed line of steamers. Hitherto there have been two powerful competitors for the service. W. 11. Webb, one of the most enterprising shipowners in America, possessed steamers splendidly suited for the trade. These vessels have for some months been unemployed in consequence of the Pacific Kailway having absorbed their trade to Panama. These vessels he was naturally anxious to employ. On the other hand, the North Pacific Transportation Company were claimants for the business. They are a powerful organisation, running five different lines of steamers from San Francisco. By many Congressmen and others it was felt that their claim was the prior one, inasmuch as they have already for some time occupied the route to Honolulu; which is one-third the distance to your colonies. These two competitors had each powerful influences at their command, and were thus able to block each other's way considerably. Friends, who cared less for the rival interests of either competitor than they did to see the line in successful operation, suggested a compromise ; and, happily, few days ago this was accomplished. The North Pacific Transportation Company have amalgamated with Mr. Webb, and their interest is now one. Important proposals emanate from them to the Colonial Governments, and go by the present mail. The American subsidy will now be voted to the North Pacific Transportation Co., to continue the service to the Australias conditional upon the colonies paying to" the company an equal amount to that voted by this country, The Nevada and Nebraska, two of Mr. Webb's powerful steamers, of 2,250 tons register, are already ordered to be docked, with a view to their being thoroughly overhauled at a moment's notice. The Dacotab, and a fourth vessel, not yet determined upon, will complete the number of steamers necessary to run the line. The whole thing might be deemed un fait accompli were it not that the greatest of all the difficulties remains yet to be removed. I need hardly say that I refer to the difficulty of procuring reasonably united action among the colonies. To an outsider the differences which divide the colonies seem small and petty in the extreme, and are such as ought to yield to the exercise of a fair and impartial spirit. That they will so yield is confidently believed here, and it is hoped that the first steamer may start from San Francisco early in February next, or even earlier if possible. The pioneer boat will be the Nevada, and you may rely upon it a vessel with finer accommodation for passengers never entered a colonial port. Having said so much of the position of affairs here, it will appear clear that there is no difficulty at this end as to running a first-class line, and paying one half the expense. The question will very naturally arise in the colonies as to exactly WHAT INTERCOLONrAL ROUTE SHAM, BE FOLLOWED. Tbis question must be determined mainly by the action of the colonies themselves. I speak that whereof I know, when I say that the line will be run to exclusively serve those colonies which consent to bear a fair share of its expense, and to exclude from its advantages those which stand aloof from the project. To what length this Government is prepared to go in favoring only those who co-operate in this scheme cannot be better illustrated than by a reference to a postal treaty just ratified between the United States and New Zealand, by which the former agrees to carry mails of the latter across this country at a merely nominal rate, and refuses to carry at any price the letters of other colonies, except by the consent of New Zealand. Of course, this treaty would be modified so soon as other colonies came into the arrangement. The question must be a grave one commercially with each colony, whether it can afford to remain, in this go-ahead age, excluded from the advantages of a steam line which, from the excellence of the route to be followed, ' it requires no great amount of prescience to predict will, within a year or two, become one of the most popular channels for travel in existence. It is hoped, and strongly believed, that no sucji exclusive policy need be pursued, but thaf all the colonies may be served ; and, that being so, they wili not refuse to pay a sum to be determined equitably by the proportion of benefit which they derive from the service. That fact being understood, I may proceed to point out a route which is looked upon with much favour here, and which it is thought combines so many colonial interests that, upon the maturest consideration, it must commend itself to all parties as the very best that can be adopted. Starting from San Francisco, Honolulu will, of course, continue to be called at, and used as a coaling-station. Thus, 2,080 miles, or one-third of the distance, is accomplished. From that point it is proposed to call at Fiji, and there make a coal depot of some importance. The natural productiveness and growing importance of the Fijis would render this stopping-place one of consequence to the trade of the colonies. From this centre all the other islands of Polynesia would draw their supplies, which, being principally obtained from the colonies, would add considerably to their trade. The question then arises as to the route to be pursued after leaving Fiji. For steamers to Australia the detour by way of New Zealand is considerable. Having regard to the larger population of Australia, it is desirable to avoid this. Fortunately, this can be done, and yet, nt the same time, give New Zealand a service of infinitely more value to her than the call of a steamer for a few hours would be. This can be done by means of a branch steamer specially adapted to the work being employed to connect at Fiji, and proceed thence to Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers. The main line to Australia would proceed from Fiji to Moreton Island, where without delay the mail for Brisbane would be dropped. The other colonies would receive their telegraphed summary of news from Brisbane as they do from Adelaide. The steamer •would then proceed on and deliver the mails at Sydney, and at Melbourne if necessary. If Victoria came into the arrangement, Melbourne might be made the terminus of the line. If she did not, then Sydney would certainly be made the depot. The guaranteed time that would be made by this route would be 24 days to Auckland, 26 to Queensland, 28 to Sydney, and 30 to Melbourne. To these figures would

have to be added 15 d^s^^^w||^|pep occupied from San Pranc||4b;|o;jE3^j^|)lsjlj These figures are not imaguijiifyV Wj^mc^ ■$-. in any way, but are the penojkVfQr|S?McKs; r : contracts will be offered, with; y&? Juwajv ; penalties for non-fulfilnaehVattaoK|p^he i service would often be accomp)ißMefl?in"l^,|^ time, but. these periods allow s iheiJ-usualJ;;; margin for unforeseen delays;^fThep, asitpg" the passage rates, it is safe to sjaj-;tliai|iftrst' class fares from either New Zeaten^o^us-; tralia to LiverpoolwiU not ai|Be jO^yide exceed £80. This includes tKeJ e^peniisg^f ,r travelling overland by " Puliman's /? iiarVei- : ;: lously elegant Palace cars, and first^ciasa bj?i either the Inman or Canard lings hqiaa'New ■ York to Liverpool. Second ad jl t^ird claaa^ passengers will be taken at rates; propor- . tionately low. Notice how this compares. ": with the P. and O. Co.'s rates. Their present; \ firsfc-class fare is £124 105. to Southampton, and second and third class passengers are not taken at any price. In the case of the New Zealand passengers the fare to Melbourne or . Sydney would have to be added. Then if a separate cabin for married people be required, something like £400 has to be paid ; whereas by the American line splendidly > ventilated cabins, with which those of the P. and O. Company bear not the slightest comparison, will be supplied without additional expense. When to this is added the great superiority of the route, can it be doubted which way the bulk of the travel will pass? To be able to reach the old '-:- country, and at the same time to visit Fiji, . Honolulu, and most of the great citie^ of the American Union for the sum of £80, is a very marvel of cheapness. None of, the Australasians who have hitherto passed tbis way have, so far as I have met them, failed to express their delight with the railway trip " across this continent. Sir George Grey, for instance, says that neither the people in England nor the colonies have the slightest conception of the elegance and comfort with which railway travelling is here conducted. Sir George said, "By travelling by the Pacific route, not only are the inconveniences of the Bed Sea avoided, but so many points of surpassing interest are passed along that the voyage becomes a pleasure trip the whole way." ACTION BY THE BAILWAY KIHGS OF AMERICA. To show the liberal spirit with which your Australasian passenger may expect to be dealt with in this country, I may mention that daring the month past s conven* tion of the leading railway men of America has been held at Chicago. The question of the Australian traffic across the Continent was made quite a feature in the proceedings of the Convention. I enclose you the Chicago Tribune's report of the proceedings which relate to Australasia. I commend it to you as being worthy of a place in your columns. It will be seen, that a resolution was passed pledging the support of the railway interest, which is . . here all-powerful, to the support of the Australasian Steam Line Subsidy Bill now before Congress. It was also determined to make a special reduced rate for Australasian traffic. This and other matters of detail were referred to a committee, who, I understand, propose some important concessions. First, Australasian passengers are to be allowed 250 Ib. of luggage free, instead of 100 lb. as at present. Then those with through tickets issued by the North Pacific Transportation Company, will be taken at reduced rate. The Inman Steamship Line had also a representative " . . present at the convention, and his company offer to make a reduction in case of Australasian traffic, and they also agree to have a steamer ready to sail to New York the moment they arrive, the company being notified from San Francisco by telegraph five days ahead of the time of departure. Then a new time table has been prepared, by which the overland journey will, on the Ist January next, be reduced from six days to five. This will be done without any acceleration of speed by simply reducing the delay that now occurs at certain points. All this looks like business. WHAT WILL THE COLONIES DO P I have been mindful to be thus clear and explicit in order that the whole of this important subject may be placed before your readers, and the public men of your colony, so that the decision that must necessarily be arrived at within a short period may be had in view of the full facts as they appear from an American standpoint. The foregoing statements are in accord with the proposals ; that will be conveyed to the various Colonial Governments with the outgoing mail. It is thought here that no insuperable difficulty will be found to exist in gaining the hearty co-operation of New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland. That gained, the running of the line is certain. There is a strong desire, however, that Victoria shall also unite in the undertaking. If it were possible to choke off this line altogether, one might understand Melbourne continuing to pin her faith exclusively to the Suez route. But, as the Pacific line is certain to go into operation, it is difficult to see bow Melbourne can wisely consent to be altogether excluded from its advantages. Along the Suez route there are no openings for her trades ; along the Pacific there are points which are full of future promise. The innumerable isles of Polynesia will soon be the homes_of thousands of wealthy cottonplanters and^oTh^riT^o^thwnplanlera are now turning their attention in that direction. The opening of the new line will soon cause a steady flow of men of capital thitherwards. From a commercial enterprise of such importance can any colony afford to stand aloof, and totally exclude herself from its advantages P We shall see ! It has been suggested that perhaps there will be an objection at the American origin of the line, at your end. The friends of the colonies here repudiate the suggestion, as colonists themselves will doubtless repudiate it. No one can believe that at this time of day so narrow a provincialism can exist among a commercial people. England herself sips " honey from every opening flower," or in other words she draws trade from every channel that opens to her. She did not disdain even to force a trade upon unwilling Hindoos and ° Cbinese. There can be no reason why you should not, for your own benefit, accept commercial relations with a people of common origin with your own. We, too, are colonists, though of a somewhat older growth. Our experiences may be of some use to you. At any rate, fpr : .\; whatever they are worth, they are offered • in the most cordial spirit of goodwill.