THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12989, 2 June 1904, Page 9

THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE

(Pbe United Phess Association-.) WELLINGTON, June 1. Referring to alleged over-paj-ments for the carriage of the Victorian mails by the San Francisco service, as detailed in a cab'.S message, Mr Gray, Secretary to the Tost Office, states that ifc is quito incorrect that tho Victorian yostsl authorities have continucdrcmitting toNewZealand. Thoiasfc remittance received from Victoria was in November, 1902, when the Deputy Post-master-general wrote advising th.af 16s 3d had beoa credited 1 in the money owlet account for tho conveyance of the Yicteiaij mail matter for the year ended 30tb June last. This money was paid- over to the Auckland agents of the Oceanio Company, and the Victorian Post Office was informed

that the collection of all moneys due by non-contraefing States for the carriage of their mails by the San Etanoisco service would cease as from 30th. Jane, 1901. Mr Gray also -wrote to the Auckland agents 6f the Oceanic Compaiiy, pointing out that the company was advised that it ehonld make its own arrangements for collecting, the amounts due by Australian States. On the ifth December, 1902, the Auokiaiid agents wrote saying that they were " advising" the Sydney office of the Oceanio item Ship Company to make cJaime on the Federal Postmaster-general for future payments. Mr Gray knows nothing of the £3920 referred to in fcho cable message. With respect to tire final paragraph of tlap morning's cable message, Mr Gray explained that there is no contract betroacln. the Oceanic Company and the Federal GoTem.jnont witii respect ko the carriage of out--ward Australian mails, tort the Federal postal authorities kiro tod a rato of payment for the coaveyance of mails •wlijch may bo seiit by any steamer. Mt Gray says that although tho Oceanic Company may make protests and" requests, such as those , mentioneil in tho cable message, it is entirely within tho power of tho postal authorities of Australia, to grant or refuse any such requests ns it thinks fit. lhe Oceanio Company 1 * complaints liayo no reference to New Zeakmd, with which (in. contradistinction to Australia) there » definite cojitraot.