THE 'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11203, 25 October 1899, Page 5

THE 'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE

PORT OF CALL CHALLENGED. WELLINGTON OUTVOTED.. [di telegraph.—special CORRESPONDENT,] Wellington, Tuesday. At the instance of the Opposition, the Premier's motion regarding the San Francisco service was altered, so as to provide for one British-owned boat in the negotiations.' It was also mado clear that the Government are not to have power to enter into a fresh contract, but that the matter shall bo left to the next Parliament. Tlio resolution as passed reads: "That this House do resolve itself into a committee of tlio whole to consider the following resolution— I 'That this House authorises the Government to extend the San Francisco mail sen-ice for 12 months from tho first tiny of April, 1900, on the present terms and conditions as set out in the contract agreements dated the 11th day of April, 1899, and the 20th day of July, 1899, and published in Parliamentary Papor F61,899, page 23. That this House also empowers the Government to enter into negotiations for a 16 and for a l days' service once every four weeks, and also alternate services onco every two weeks, and once evory tlireo weeks by vessels of not less than 4000 tons, between Auckland and San Francisco, for a period of five or seven years, commencing about April, 1891, provided that at least one British-owned steamer shall bo employed in either service. The result of suoli negotiations shall bo submitted to tho House for confirmation next session, and shall havo no effect till approved by tho House.'" Tho House went into committee to consider the resolution.

Mr. Crowther asked if Messrs. Spreckels, of San Francisco, had made any offer to the Government in regard to a service, and, if so, what tho Ministers intended 1 to do?

The Premier said an offer had been received for a service to start in December next New South Wales was inoluded in the offer, and had not yet had time to consider it. This offor would save the company tendering. Nothing could bo done until New South Wales had been consulted. Mr. Duthio regretted the manner in which the Premier had treated the House over the question. It had been postponed until many Southern members had gone homo. Mr. Massey: And Northern members, too. Mr. Duthio said this was a matter that ought to have been placed before the House earlier, and when thoro was a full attendance of members. He thought the contractors should have lite right of making Wellington an alternative port of call if they chose. Ho had no desire to disturb tho servico so long as it was monthly, but if it was fortnightly every other steamer should call at Wellington. Tho city of Wellington was entitled to this. Tho advantago of Wellington for distribution of mails and as a port of trado was very marked. With 16-knot boats the voyage from San Francisco to Auckland could be dono in 15 days lli hours, and to Wellington in 16 days ono and a-half hours. Taking into consideration New South Wales, the mails via Wellington would arrive tt Sydney only 11J hours later than via Auckland But tho advantages to Wellington and the wholo of the South Island in tho distribution of the mails would be a clear gain of 24- hours over tho mails arriving via Auckland. Mr. Duthio produced figures to Show that both on the «de of , outward cargo and passengors it ■\fciid be to tho advantage of the boats to call at Wellington rather than at Auckland. He did not think the service should pass entirely under tho Amorican flag. The colony owed certain obligations to tho Union Steamship Company, and at least one-third of tho service ought to lie under tho British flag. Ho moved, "That in the negotiations, provision should be mado for Wellington being an alternato port of call, in case of a fortnightly service." Mr. Massey thought our own ships and our own mon should share in tho servico. Auckland was certainly tho best port of call, being the nearest between tho two terminal ports. New South Wales had to be oonsidored in the matter. With a proper service between Wellington and Auckland, mails could bo dolivered at Wellington as quickly as if tho San Francisco boats camo direct to Wellington. Ho would opposo Mr. Duthie's amendment. Mr. Holland claimed that Auckland's geographical position made it tho port of call, and it must always remain so. Ho hoped the House would not support tho fad of the member for Wellington, who aimed at diverting the mail steamers from Auckland to Wellington. Ho did not see why Auckland should have to wait for 48 hours for her mails, merely to allow Wellington to get hers six hours earlier. Mr. J. Hutcheson supported Mr. Duthie's amendment, but thought it should go further, and mako Wellington the eolo port of call, instead of Auckland. Howovor, the safety of the Auckland members, and oven of tho Government itself, seemed dependant on Auckland retaining this ono little ewe lamb, and so he would not move it. He hoped Auckland would seo the sweet reasonableness of accepting the compromise offered, and have tho alternate ports of call. Mr. Tanner said tho Auckland service had been maintained for tho benefit of the North at tho oxpenso of the South, and the sooner members woke up to this tho better. Wellington's geographical position made it the spot marked by nature as the distributing centre of the colony. They had endured the Auckland service for long, but there was a limit to human endurance. Mr. McGowan said tho San Francisco servico undoubtedly had been the boat service New Zealand over had. Mr. Fisher supported Mr. Duthie's amendment. Mr. Crowther said more goods passed over the Auckland wharves than over the Wellington wharves into the city. Mr. Duthie's amendment was negatived by 34 votes to 14 Tho Premier said, that, in accordance with tho promiso lie had mado, Auckland would be the port of call. The resolution was then agreed to.