NEW MAIL CONTRACT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11127, 16 November 1907, Page 5

NEW MAIL CONTRACT.

WHITE LABOR STIPULATED.

(Press Assn. — By Telegraph — Copyright) . (Received November 16, 8.38 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 15. Mr Deakin explains that the mail contract, for which the subsidy is £170,000 per annum, provides an extension of the service to Brisbane, with a special service to Hobart during six months of the year. The period of "transit is reduced to 638 hours, a reduction of 58 hours. The steamers are to be built m accordance with plans approved by the Government, each providing a space for 2000 tons cool storage. The .first steamer is to be ready within 18 months from the commencement of the contract, and one each year afterwards^ Only white labor is to be employed,- without discrimination i between union or rion-unionists. Provision is made for .the Government to the steamers .if they desire. Power is reserved to ca.hcel the contract rafter five years, and obtain an "improved service at an additional subsidy. Plans of the steariiers must be submitted with, m three months of the ratification of the contract, and the building carried out with all reasonable despatch. The maximum charge for carriage of butter is fixed at a half-penny per pound, and fruit at 60s per ton, rates from all ports of the Commonwealth to be the same. Contractors must withdraw from any combine or trust which the courts of the Comonwealth decide to be illegal. The vessels are to carry the Australian flag, and be fitted with wireless telegraphy. The contractors continue the existing service under the present conditions until the commencement of the new contract. (Received November 16, 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 16. The new mail contract provides altogether for eight new steamers. A motion for printing the contract was adopted, and the debate was adjourned until Wednesday.