THE “ALL-RED” ROUTE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6325, 27 September 1907, Page 4

THE “ALL-RED” ROUTE.

It is very satisfactory- to have the assurance of the Prime Minister that he hopes before long bo see the much desired mail service between Britain, Canada, and Australasia an accomI plishod fact. The negotiations now ! proceeding are of a confidential character and cannot, of course, be disclosed, but. the mere fact that the matter is under consideration would indicate that success is possible at ; least. Not long ago it was reported that the British Government had reached the determination that it could not support the “All-Red” line, as any financial assistance would be of the nature of a trade bonus, and ; therefore not consistent With the gene- ■ ral policy of free-trade. The statement was not based upon any specific Ministerial pronouncement, and at the time doubt was thrown upon its acou- ; racy in this column. It is a fact I that Mr Lloyd-George and soma others in' recent speeches referred to the j fiscal aspect of the subject, but in expressing the official opinion as adverse to the, bounty system, Mr Lloyd-Goorge ' was careful to add that the question had not been settled. Since then Lord ; Strathcoua has made a munificent offer I towards the cost of the scheme, and our big sister Dominion has indicated ' that she is more than ever convinced that the advantages to be gained by : the installation are real and substantial .The point regarding -which Bri- | tain is apparently still in doubt will, , thepo is strong reason to believe, be ' settled in favour of what is essentially |an Imperial project. There is all the difference in the world between a bounty given to a trading concern and ia subsidy voted to a mail service, but the distinction is not one that . the i Liberal Government has been called upon to draw heretofore, and it is naturally cautious. , When the Board of Trade recognises, as it eventually must, that the strengthening of the ; means of communication is one of the surest aids to free trade and every other kind of trade* the labours : of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Sir Joseph Ward will speedily begin to bear fruit.