SAN FRANCISCO MAIL STEAMERS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 1, 3 February 1872, Page 4

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL STEAMERS.

The Wellington Independent has received its cue to extricate the Government from Mr. Vogel's rash and absurd contract with Mr. "Webb. In the late session of the Assembly, that part of the contract which provided for the steamers extending their voyage from Auckland to Otago, was insisted upon by a large majority of the House ; but the Independent, which formerly was clamorous for this foolish extension of the service in order that Wellington might participate in the visits of Mr. AV ebb's huge vessels, now calls upon the southern provinces to forego this luxury, which ifc styles a " needless and expensive condition." As we were always opposed to this "needless and expensive condition," we cannot but feel gratified at the Independent having come round to — or been instructed to adopt — our common sense view of the subject. The remarks of the Independent are worth copying : — We have every confidence that the visit of Mr. Webb to Australia, in company with the Colonial Treasurer, will result in the eventual co-operation of our fellow-colonists of Victoria and Now South Wales in carrying out and firmly establishing the San Francisco, New Zealand, and Australian Mail Service. To assist in the accomplishment of 60 desirable a coalition it is almost an essential consideration that New Zealand should consent to forego the luxury which experience has proved to be the weak part in the contract, namely, the needless and^expensioe condition which renders it imperative that these large steamers shall call at all the coast port 3 from Auckland to Port Chilliners. If the people of this colony can so far exercise a wise discretion as to subdue or entirely obliterate local prejudices on this point there fieema little ground for fear that the negotiations ■with the Australian Government will be successful. The people of New Zealand will have io do more than the Independent hints at, if Webb'a so: vicn is to be maintained, but that question'is withheld at present. The Australian colonies will never agree to having their r ails sent to San Francisco by way of Nev Zealand — and so the prepo3+erous scheme of Mr. Vogel will fail. New Zealand, instead of bfing the trunk lino, must consent to become a branch ; ine — and instead of spending £40,000 to £50,000 i-year, must submit to the hardship of contributing something like half the cost of the present service. This will 1)0 very mortifying— not to the colony, hut to the Postmaster- General.