THE RED FUNNEL SERVICE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15256, 17 March 1910, Page 7

THE RED FUNNEL SERVICE.

SIR JAMES MILLS IN AUCKLAND. [Per Pkess Association.] AUCKLAND, March 16.

Sir Janice Mills, managing director of tho Union Steam Ship Company, arrived in. Auckland this morning from Sydney, after a visit to the Victorian and New South "Wales capitals. Interviewed by a reporter, Sir James said there was nothing now to chronicle, beyond tho statement made, by him in Sydney a week ago, to the effect that the company lias decided to replace the wrecked Waikari with a vessel of tho Marania type, and to have her running next summer. The Union Company has also purchased the Can-adian-Australian mail steamer Aorangi, ond intends holding her as a reserve steamor. The New Zealand Shipping Company, since laying up tho Aorangi last January, lias had no further connection with the Sydney-Vancouver service, and this line will in future bo carried on entirely by tho Union Company with its own steamers. The Union Company is desirous of securing n. contract with the Commonwealth Government which will enable it to placo tho Vancouver service on a still better footing.

Questioned in regard to the proposed new service between Australia and London, South America, connecting with too trans-Andine Railway at Valparaiso, Sir James Mills declined to express any opinion on the subject .in view of the fact that no news of the proposition had reached him until his arrival in Auckland this morning. The question of distances and tho possibilities of trade between Australia and Now Zealand with Chili needed to bo seriously gone into. Sir James Mills explained before any definite opinion could bo expressed.