SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIV, Issue 12322, 12 October 1900, Page 4

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

It is evident, from tjxe debate which took place in the House of Representatives last night, that Mr Ward has correctly gauged the temper of a majority of the members in proposing only a temporary arrangement with Messrs (Sprseckles and Cofop the continuation of the San. Francisco; mail service. It would!, indeed, have been very surprising if the House had! shown any disposition to commit the colony to a long contract with a firm that is bolstered l up by the iniquitous American navigation laws, which are specially aimed) a* British shipping. We must confess to 'having a goad deal of sympathy ourselves withi Mr T. Mackenzie's; amendment, which would have prevented the colony entering into* amy contract at all; but perhaps it would hav© been something like biting off our nose to spite our face to refuse to have- anything .to uo with the pan Francisco route while no other is open to our mails. We may fairly hope, however, that this is the last occasion ori which we shall have to entrust such an important service to a line of foreign vessels. Even if they shoujd 1 have fy> pay. a little more for a slightly slower service the public would 1 prefer as* arrangament that would place the whole route under the British flag. - It is a great pity that the. Vancouver sea-vice was not retained, and) it is to be hoped that, before the expiration of the agreement with Messrs Spreckles and Co., the Ministry will make for its restoration. New Zealand, of all parts of h?r Majesty's dominions, shoidd be the last to depend; upon foreign channels for the maintenance of communication) with the Mother Country.