THE PANAMA ROUTE.

Southland Times, Volume 3, Issue 102, 17 October 1863, Page 6

THE PANAMA ROUTE.

(From the Lyttellton Tim^s, October 6.) When ihe English Government, defini* tlvely refused to assist in subsidising a line of mail steamer? to New Zealand and Australia, .via Panama, the promoters of such a line in England by np melns abandoned the hope of accomplishing their object The fact that New South Wales arid New Zealand together offer eighty thousand .pounds a year to any company prepared to undertake the contract, is sufficient to show that the public on this side of the world is in earnest. Although the English Government has at present refused to recognise the claim on the Imperial Treasury, yet their are many leading men in the city who are sufficiently interested in the question not to let it drop without making an effort. In a letter which we publish to-day, Mr Hamilton, reminds us that in the northern hemisphere there are other interests besides those of England which are concerned in the establishment of a Panama route. It would, indeed be hard to show any part of the civilised world thai is not interested in opening; up a totally new route from the old world to the newest and wealthiest colonies inhabited by men of European origin. Even in time of peace, a dependence on one line of steamers, or one route, is too injurious to commerce to be long tolerated. In the event of a European war it might be the cause of on being reduced again to awaiting the uncertain arrival of sailing vessels, via the ; Cape of Good Hope, for our letters and European news. But, apart from the chances of war, the injury done us by the virtual monopoly at present enjoyed by the Peninsular and Oriental Company is very great. The comparative punctuality of the steamers owned by lhat wellmanaged company is such an improvement upon the time kept by former contrac'ors. that we have been somewhat inclined of late to close oar eyes to the helplessness of our position. The agitation raised by New Zealand and New South Wales for the adoption of the route via Panama has so far done good service already, that it has drawn attention to the bid hargian we have been obliged to make with the Peninsular and Oriental Company, while it has compelled that company to come forward with an offer to improve the service, fora comparatively small increase to the subsidy they now receive. Victoria opposed the adoption of ihe Panama lioute. That colony ought to remember hereafter that the fort'niqhtly service -wz Suez, now promised, is due to the mere agitation in faVcr of a rival route. Ir the prospect of competition does so much for* us how much for us, how much more may we not expect when a line of steamers running on a calmer and easier course is actively com pe:ingwith the Peninsular and Orient" Company's packets ? Looking only at the prospects held out by the traffic between England and the Colonies, there is every encounn^ement for a company to start a line of mail steamers via Panama for a moderate subsidy. No doubt a very consiilerablcqnantity of Australian and New Zealand gold would be sent to London by that route if once opened, and a considerable amount of paying traffic in light goods would spring trp with the increasing facilities offered, and the increasing wealth of the colonies The passenger traffic would be almost mrnopolised by fh.3 new line. The tariff of charges on the I*. and O. steamers is almost prohibitive for famiiiea; indeed it was intended to be so, as there is not sufficient accommodation from Ceylon to England 'for the Indian passengers alone. Besides this, even if the fares were the same by either line, the Panama route would get the preference, as a great part of the journey would be through waters almos always calm, whereas a great part of the Suez'route is very stormy and unpleasint. The connection of Australasia by a regular postal route with the West Indies and the two Americas, would alone develop new interests of the greatest importance to the progress of the colonies and to the advantage of the woild. Nor will the line when adopted stop there The Pacific Ocean will soon be traversed by branch lines, connecting the New World with the the oldest empires of the East, and a new future will be opened up for the South Sea Island^ such as is not yet dreamt of even by the most sanguiee. The Emperor of the French is as likely to appreciate all the consequences of enterprise in "this direction as any tnan Jiving, and he is always ready to encourage his subjects to grasp at new fields of commercial action. Mr Hamilton has not over-rated the probability that an Anglo-French Company, subsidised partly by the colonies and partly by the French Emperor, might effect a solution of the problem which has not been yet worked out. The suggestion is worthy of consideration, and we trust that it will be taken up in influential quarters. Wr are not of those who hold that mercantile enterprise in these seas on the part of the French, or any other civilised nation, would injure JJaitish interests. Such protective notions are happily at a discount in our day. His Imperia 1 Majesty hns shown an anxiety for encouraging French enterprise in the South Seas, an anxiety which has led to undertakings not always justifiable. He. would gladly seize an opportunity left open by the English Government, to give vent to the legitimate aspirations of enterprising French merchants. What better motive for fresh enterprise could he wish than that of opening seas, hitherto out of the ordinary track of commerce — what better sequel to the commercial treafy with England than the formation of a great AngloFrench Company, destined to p fay an important part in the civilisation of the world ?