THE MAIL SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13488, 15 May 1907, Page 7

THE MAIL SERVICES.

PROPOSED FAST SERVICE.^ LONDON TO NEW ZEALAND IN . _. ... 20 DAYS. • .'-.:'■■■ , - By Xel*gtßpli,--I , fess. Association Copyright. ■;■ ■:■_",'■; London, May 13. It is .stated on the best authority that Sir Wilfrid Laurier hopes to spere an Atlantic service to Canada' equal to that, between Liverpool and New York, though he recognises that the desired result means a subsidy of probably half a million a year. " This acceleration of . the crossAtlantic trip, coupled with a very rapid Canadian-Pacific service and improved Pacific steamers, i? expected to reduce the transit from England to New Zealand to about 20 days. ■■'■ - . _ '■ -.-. ''':"", ■ Doubts arc expressed as to whether Australasia would be able to supply the passengers and cargo required for such a costly service, but Sir Joseph Ward is confident on the subject. , ~'■'.-■■'•■

Meanwhile all negotiations with respect to the temporary continuance of ' the present Vancouver service have been hung up. ■

It was stated recently that the Federal Postmaster-General (Mr. Chapman); had extended the present Vancouver mail service for 12 months from August next. The fastest time yet made from Liverpool to Canada is five days 12£ hours. , The. Maheiip's fastest time from Vancouver to Syd • ney, via Honolulu, Fiji, and Brisbane, is 21 days 15 hours, and the railway journey across Canada occupies 88 hours. * There would, therefore, have to bo a great acceleration of the services in the Atlantic and the Pacific to bring down the time to 20 days. Auckland is about 400 miles nearer to Vancouver than is Brisbane.