THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9512, 22 August 1892, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

* fßy Er.ncTnic TEi,K(ir>Arn.— Oovvrhiut. | (I'kb I'rkss Association.) London', August 20. dtocniviy] August 21. at 0 p.;u.) U is reported that the Jo.st Office (mthonlies are avcii-si; to renewing tins New Zealand mail contract via Han I'Vandsco, which expires in November, on the ground that the route via Suez is cheaper to ICugl-ind. Our Sun Francisco correspondent in forwnriling to us the mi>inori:il of the San i''ra»cisco Chamber of Commerce (whicli we published liii-t wi!.:k) urging the U.S. Government to subskliso the Oceanic Hlearn^liip Company, to wiable it to continue the mail service with Australasia, writes:—"! sincerely trust the New Zealand Government will not attempt to renew its subsidy to this service unless it receives a guarantee from the directors of the Oceanic Steamship Company that the accommodation for both saloon and steerage passengers ujmii its boats will be radically changed. As you are awaiv, the provision for steerage passengers—all of whom nave to pay the large sum of L2O for a three weeks'(rip—is scandalous. I can endorse every word of the Uev. .1. Hurry's in this respect. It is to be hoped, should your Government decide upon a renewal of the contract, that a change is demanded and prompt measures taken to see that the two American boats do not shulUe out of their manifest duty. I know from my own knowledge that hitherto all the protests—those that have appeared in your own columns and others—have been simply looked at by the managers, and then consigned to the waste paper baskets. Another point which I think the public of your colony should know is the anomalous position of the present New Zealand mail agent in this city. He occupies the dual post of servant to the New Zealand Government and servant to the Oceanic Steamship Company! It is apparent no man can possibly do his duty to the travelling public under such conditions. A protest lodged by the mail agent against his own employers cau have no weight. Personally I believe an arrangement with the Canadian Pacilio Company would be the most desirable and advantageous."