THE 'FRISCO SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8986, 17 September 1892, Page 5

THE 'FRISCO SERVICE.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

[BY telegraph.—special correspondent.

Wellington, Friday. When the estimates for the Postal Department were under consideration tonight the Hon. Mr. Ward said that strong representations were being made to the Imperial Post Office through the AgentUeceral, that they should continue their subsidy to the San Francisco service at the present rate. Even, however, if thoy did not give a favourable reply the New Zealand Government would not increase their payment. They had every reason to believe that even thou the service would not be abandoned by the contractors. The Government had also asked the Australian Governments to increase their subsidy. The contribution to the San Francisco service had been increased by the colony from £15,200 to £18,500, the sum mentioned in this year's estimates, because of the number of letters having very largely increased, the payment being by weight. The Suez mail matter had also increased, but the direct service receipts had altogether disappeared, because little or no mail matter was now sent by that service. Captain Russell urged that the San Francisco mail should be delivered at Wellington, instead of Auckland, since the former was the central port in the colony. Mr. Ward agreed that a fast mail service was desirable, but that by way of San Francisco was a very good and very fast service, and the Government did not intend to increase the subsidy to get a faster one. As to whether Wellington or Auckland should be the port of call, it was not the intention of the Government to amend the existing arrangement, under which the contractors had the option of choosing the port of call. Mr. Dothik complained of the reduction of the expenditure. It had had the result of practically wrecking the service, since the subsidies had been cut down so greatly that it was not worth the while of the contractors to keep it on. Mr. Siikra urged that a fast steamer should be placed on to convey the mails from Onehunga to New Plymouth. Mr. Ward pointed out that the only people in Now Zealand who had sent any complaint to the Government about the San Francisco service were the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Apparently, therefore, the rest of the colony were satisfied with a service which was, taken altogether, a good one. To get a better one the House would have to expend more money, and he would not ask them to do that. Mr. Ward contradicted the statement of Mr. Duthie that the mail service had been practically wreckod. It was a very good service for the price paid. After some discussion regarding the Suez service, the vote of £32,698 for conveyance of mails by sea, including £18,500 for the San Francisco service, was passed. ATTITUDE OF NEW SOUTH WALES. Press Association.— Telegraph.—Copyright. Sydney, September 16. The Postmaster-General has not received an official intimation from the New Zealand Government requesting Now South Wales to contribute £5000 subsidy towards the. San Francisco Mail Service. In any case the matter is one which the Cabinet would have to deal with, and Mr. Kidd is personally of opinion that the Chicago Exhibision will afford sufficient inducement for the steamship company to maintain the service for another twelve months without assistance from the Government. He explains that Sir G. R. l>ibbs, the Premier of Kew South Wales, on his return journey from London had made inquiries respecting the service via Vancouver, and believed when this route was adopted steamers would convey mails between Vancouver and Brisbane in 12J days, and mails would be delivered in London in 28 days.