THE H.B. TRIBUNE. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 1910. THE VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 3, 14 December 1910, Page 5

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 1910. THE VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE.

The anconver mail service has become a much vexed question between Canada and the Federal Government, inasmuch that, although it is greatly desired to include New Zealand in the ports if call, Australia raises objections to which she shows an obstinate front, so much so as to give rise to the possibility of open rupture, and it may be the substitution of a rival line to Vancouver from Au kiand. The Commonwealth arctics that for New Zealand to be included in their contract would prove disadvantageous to Australian trade, as the articles from both countries would be of a simiand the question of prices wtWild in all possibility interfere with Australian profits. Again, they argue that the voyage from Vancouver to Auckland would prolong the passage to 22 days, whereas the voyage to Brisbane would only occupy 18 days. Although the Canadian Government has consented to include two Australian ports of call in the contract, the Commonwealth has no desire to substitute Auckland for Brisbane as proposed and urged by both Canada and New Zealand, but the strong stand the Canadian authorities are making in favour of New Zealand can scarcely continue to be ignored by the Federal authorities, and it is very much to be hoped they may yet come into line. The tender of the Union Steam Ship Company fori five years is to commence in August next. It will be a direct service between Vancouver and Syd-1 ney. The inclusion of Auckland as i a port of call is looked upon by: both Canada and New Zealand as! only reasonable, and the refusal to j make the concession does not te-j dound tn the credit of the Commonwealth. or speak well for the J neighbourly feeling which should exi«t between the two countries.: The hesitation on tk>c part of Aus-; tralia to share her mail service! facilities with New Zealand will j not be allowed to retard the de . velopment of her mercantile mar-1 ine whatever may be the issue of, this vexed question. It will be; very difficult for the Federal authorities to utterly disregard New Zealand’s claims in this matter, neither will it be reasonable to conclude that Canada’s obligation to insist on a port of call for New Zealand will bear no weight. In any case increased mail facilities r will be satisfactorily put in action | for New Zealand during the com-| ing year, and the extension of herj mercantile marine will consider-, ably assist to effect the desired reinforcement,

THE NEW ’FRISCO SERVICE. Considerable interest has arisen in the new service to California via Tahiti. Sir James Mills, who has just returned to the Dominion, is greatly in favour of it, and from the enquiries which he prosecuted in San Francisco he is led to believe that a great deal of the business lost on abandonment of Line service may be reewered by medium of this new liner Not only is there every assurance of business becoming brisk, encouraged as it promises to be by business men in California, but it opens a new field for passenger traffic between the Western Stat?s of America and New Zealand. Stories of our 'Wonderland” have not failed to reach America, and a direct, service from San Francisco to Auckland would be a great attraction to tourists, and bring profitable visitors to our shores. This direct service would also he very helpful in the matter of quick trading between this country and America, and. in fact, there can he no doubt it will become extensively popularised with the conditions of a well-organised and com fortable service. The class of steamers utilised and the efficiency of the service must be strictly considered in order to secure these desirable results, and if the expectations of recovered and increased trade are to be fulfilled the arrangements must be substantial as ■well as attractive.