THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Colonist, Volume XVII, Issue 1980, 16 October 1875, Page 4

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

The New Zealand Times of October 12th remarks : —The proceedings in the House of Eepresentatives yesterday were more entertaining than instructive. The day was spent in discussions on the San Francisco mail contract. We cannot say, however, that we agres with either the Government proposals, or those of the Opposition. The Government originally submitted a motion to the House approving of the contract entered into by Mr Kussell, as representing the Colony, but owing to an amendment moved by Mr Stafford, and to speeches delivered during the debate, Ministers asked foran adjournment to consider their position. Meantime they resolved to modify their original proposal and came down to the House yesterday with amendments. The Colonial Treasurer moved the omission of the words " apptored of and," in the motion of the Commissioner of Customs, the effect of which was clearly a disapproval of the negotiation and provisional contract made by Mr Eussell under instructions from Sir Julius Vogel. Of course the implied censure was weakened by an amendment which Major Atkinson moved, to the effect that the annual charge for the service Bhould not exceed £40,000, and that the Government should enter upon negotiations to modify the contract to this extent subject to future ratification by Parliament. It was argued by Ministers that if the House approved of the contract as well as ratified it, the Government could not ask the contractors to modify the contract. But it must be evident to everyone who listened to the debate, that the ultimate effect was to censure Sir Julius Vogel. The Government may not have intended it, but the fact remains nevertheless ; and the only wonder is that they did not proceed to a division on Friday last, when the original resolution might have been carried by a large majority. # * # * A general election is approaching, and a show of virtue and economy was necessary. Hence it happened that the contract for the. San Francisco mail service was ratified but not approved. It is the same cost to the country; and approval might jusfi as well have followed ratification as not, but some people have very tender consciences, and Sir Julius Yogel and Mr Thomas Russell must bear their chastisement with fortitude. Their reward is that they have done a good service to the country, and that their detractors know it. And the satisfaction of the country will be, that through their exertions an efficient ocean postal service has been established, which will make .New Zealand known and appreciated amongst commercial nations long before the contract time expires. The Post remarks: —As matters now stand the position is this. The Assembly has agreed to ratify- a contract of which it expressly says it does not approve, and the Ministry are instructed to endeavor to procure modifications in that contract by which a saving of £5000 a year may be effected. They can probably do this with very little trouble, and with great advantage to, the1 me, by doing away with the coastal portion of. the service.