STEAM POSTAL SUBSIDIES.

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1215, 31 August 1869, Page 4

STEAM POSTAL SUBSIDIES.

The days of these subsidies appear to be coming to an end. In the House of Representatives, last week, Mr. Macandrew moved the following resolutions : —

" (1.) That it is inexpedient to continue the steam postal subsidies, either inter-provincial or inter-colonial, after the expiration of the existing contracts. 2. That the Government be requested to advertise for tenders for monthly steam services between San Francisco and N.ew Zealand. In Hie event of their receiving suitable offers for the performance of such service within £20,000 per annum, the Government is hereby empowered to close with the offer for such term of years as they may see fit, in which case the contribution of tliis Colony towards the Suez line to be discontinued."

lii the debate which ensued, Mr. Stafford said he was informed that a steamer was running from San Eraucisco to Tahiti, and but a small subsidy would probably bo required as New Zealand's share towards the extension of the line to the Australian colonies. Eor the future, he added, New Zealand would havo to look to the San Francisco route as the route by which its mails should be conveyed to Europe, while its adoption would also open up the trade of many countries with which the Colony now only communicated by a circuitous route. The first resolution was carried by a majority of thirty-two to thirteen; and the second was also agreed to without a division. This meaus a saving on the year's estimated expenditure for postal purposes of £8000 for the seven months of the financial year, after November, and that amount was accordingly, on the proposal of the Colonial Treasurer, struck off the item " Conveyance of mails b j sea, £38,125," which was reduced to £30,125, including £2500, for gratuities, usually paid. On the occasion of a former debate on postal subsidies, Mr. Stafford referred to the fact that in the face of our subsidised steamers, Messrs. M'Meckan and Blackwood had, for two or three years, successfull run three steamers ; and another vessel was run, unsubsidised, between Auckland and Sydney. He argued that the value of the penny fee on letters, together with the influence of healthy competition, should render subsidies unnecessary. And though the House seemed penetrated with simile opinions, and voted, by a large majority against subsidies.