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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4215, 23 September 1874, Page 2

Writing on tlio subject of tlio rival mails, Suez and San Francisco, the Melbourne Daily Telegraph of the 4th instant says : —“ What our Ministers would do, if they consulted the interests of the taxpayers and of kindly feeling, would be to open up communication with Mr. Farkes, and endeavor to come to an understanding that if we left off casting sheep’s eyes at San Francisco he would never intrigue for Suez, both Colonies being thus left to get the most they can out of contractors. All that wc can do as regards the Californian service is to harass the Sydney Government and precipitate- its action, and Sydney can retaliate nicely upon ourselves. The drama is scarce twelve months. old. Because of Mr. Farkes, we were forced to close in a hurry with the F. and 0., without- reference to price or speed ; because of Mr. Francis, Sydney was driven to buy a pig in a poke. The sooner an end is put to this petty intercolonial strife the better,”

Mu. Russell will probably find more work in Sydney than he expected to have to do in connection with the Californian mail service. Victoria hag not failed to observe the difficulties of the line, and Mr. George Coppin did not miss the opportunity to ask, in the Assembly in Melbourne, whether it was the intention of the Victorian Government “to communicate with the Government of New Zealand with a view to make Melbourne the terminus of any line of steamers to be established by the Californian route.” In reply, Mr. Kerferd stated that “ as New Zealand was the Colony mostly interested in the line, it would be for that Colony to take the initiative in any proposal that might bo made, when, if it were found that Victoria would be benefited, the Government would be glad to meet the views of New Zealaud.” Very kind, perhaps, but somewhat selfish on the part of the leader of the Ministry in the Assembly ! Ho will have an opportunity shortly of consulting the Postmaster-General of New Zealand in Melbourne on the subject.