The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1907. THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14386, 31 May 1907, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1907. THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

AVe avo all rather in tho dark concerning tho Vancouver mail 6orvice prospects, but if good intentions go for anything, Now Zealand will not bo long without this "All-R-ed" connection with tho Motherland. Tho commercial oomnnunity seeniK »to bo of tho opinion that the time is not yet ripe for the consummation, of Sir Joseph "Ward's very progressive' scheme, but it is difficult to gaoigo the feeling of tho public on such a point. It seems presumptuous for a small colony of legs than a million inhabitants, to be offering a subsidy'of £IOO,OOO per annum for a fast, regular mail and passenger service, and yet there aire not many New Zealandc'i-e who would not bo glad enough to see such a eeirvico established, even at so great an expense. If Sir Joseph AVard, ae Colonial Treasurer, has the courago to propose tho subsidy the public will not lack tho courage to support him. Moreover, the colony already pays very heavily for the carriage of its mails and the concentration of European and American bags in one fortnightly service would in practice reduce tho actual loss of money to comparatively small dimensions. "Wo live go fair from the world's centre and from our principal market that we must perforce adopt rather bold measures in order to ifborten the time distance and to facilitate co-rreKpondenee and general business. The references teethe subject at yesterday's- meeting of tho Chamber of Commeroe were somewhat cautious in tone. Perhaps they did not reflect the tru© feelings of the members, and -we think tho Government should be able to look with confidence to such public bodies to support it in its endeavours to improve tho services. We should be glad to see tho Chambers of Commerce strengthening Sir Joseph Ward's hands' in tho matter. The Australians, as a cablo message wo. publish indicates, are looking with very kindly eyes on the Vancouver route, and though it is possible that the message is really intended to have some influence on tho Commonwealth's mail service negotiations now in progress we know enough of the condition of opinion on the other side of th© Tasman Sea to appreciate the fact that the Eastern States, at least, would bo very ready to institute an improved service with Vaiiiccuveir. Definite action on the part of the Government will have to bo suspended, wo suppose, until Six Joseph Ward returns to the colony, but tho Chambers of Commerce and similar bodies might very well occupy the interval in organising an expression of public opinion on the subject. "Wo have been brought very close to Canada in sentLmeiirt during tho last few months through the enterprise of tho Dominion in sending eo comprehensive a collection of products and manufactures to the New Zealand Exhibition. "When JMr T. H. Race was speaking for his country yesterday he was appealing to' a very interested audience, and now that we know the Dominion better wo aha 11 be tho nic-ro eager to establish tho direct service with Vancouver. Mr Race will be able to report to his Government when ho returns to Ottawa that in this direction, at least, the enterprise of Canada and his own visit have not boon unorofitabls.