THE ALL-RED ROUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 27

THE ALL-RED ROUTE

-*» SIR T. SUTHERLAND'S VIEWS. LONDON, December 11. Sir Thomas Sutherland, chairman of the P. and O. Company, presiding at a meeting, said they would require gigantic resources to start an All-red route express service to New Zealand and Australia. How express steamers could be built to carry coal 6500 miles between Vancouver and Wellington was an engineering problem which was at present insoluble. Referring to the passenger trade, Sir Thomas regretted that the Commonwealth adopted a policy of excluding companies like theirs from participating in the coastal traffic _of Australia, If the threatened, measure was passed it would deprive the Peninsular Company of nearly £300,000 a year. The new tariff also imposed a very high charge on their stores. Sir Thomas Sutherland admitted that Japan had captured the carrying trade between Japan and Bombay. December 14. Referring to- the " All Red " route, the Chronicle states, that it is desirable that Australia should reveal her attitude. Mr Deakin expressed the "utmost sympathy at the Colonial Conference, but the sympathy translated meant how much? If all the colonies contributed, and a workable financial scheme were submitted the Imperial Government would gladly do its part towards realising a piece of practical Imperialism.