AN UNPREJUDICED CRITIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12328, 21 July 1903, Page 4

AN UNPREJUDICED CRITIC.

We publish in another column a very frank and unprejudiced criticism upon the Sail Francisco service from "a Southerner and an abider in the camp of the Philistines." Mr. Devoir deals very courageously with " the relationship between commerce and patriotism," perceiving, as he points : but, that when the various statements made against , the service are boiled down, the plea' that it is not performed by Steamers flying the British flag, is the only substantial one. He proceeds to analyse the pros and cons of this factor in the question with a fairness which con* firms the frequent assertion that there is a strong " Undercurrent of South Island feeling conscious of the great importance of our coldny subsidising the San; Francisco mail service." Not only are the elements, of incomparably speedy transit and cheapness, with the essential necessity of detailed mail advices even to great firms carrying on cablegraphic communication ; with other countries, emphasised by our Southern correspondent, but he affirms the political desirability, to the Empire and -to ourselves, of maintaining fctich rela'tioDs with the United States as Will enable her, in time of Imperial War, to play the invaluable part -of a friendly neutral; Which would keep open for us certain channels of trade, with international cable and postal communication. , During the perpetually recurring debates tipdn this question we have , frequently taken occasion to point out this valii- j able phase Of the Oceanic route, arid we are pleased to know that it has been similarly perceived by South Island fellow colonist.? who have Mot allowed themselves to be carried On* their feet by a purely sectional agi* tatioh. ■•„ '■ Impartially and judicially! Considered, ; it is not possible to avoid the conclusion that the. 'Frisco serVice is in every way worth very much more than ; we are asked to pay for it. And We may hope that the appeals which are being made to Southern members by sir Joseph Ward and others will induce Such an amount of reasonable thought As Mil prevent the 'Frisco mail steamers from being driven away from the colony.