AUSTRALIAN MAIL CONTRACT.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11976, 11 July 1906, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN MAIL CONTRACT.

Received Jiily 10, il.i.p.m. Melbourne, July 10. Mr Deakin announced particulars of the new mail contract in the House. It is a fortnightly service between Brindisi and Adelaide, alternating with a similar service to bo provided by the Imperial Government The period is fixed for ten years, and it replaces the Orient service when it^expires in February, | 1908. The time of transit is to be 630 hours, which is sixty hours Bhorter than the peaent service, and 26 hours shorter than the Peninsular time. Received July 10, 11.20 p.m. Melbourne, July 10, The price of the new service is £125,000 annually, but provision i 3 made for an acceleration of twentyfour hoursj and for the reimbursement of expenses incurred, but not J to exceed ,£25,000 per annum. Provision is made in the contract for the acquisition of the steamers to be employed under it by purchase, or, alternatively, for their charter, if desired. The port and registry is to be within the Commonwealth. The vessels are to fly the Federal Flag, and white labor only is to be employed on the vessels. Five tender were received, the accepted tender being the lowest. The agieement is made with Sir James Laing and Sons. There will be three times the ainouht of cold 3torage that is at preeeht available on vessels, and the tonnage is to be a minimum of 11,000 tons. Mr Deakin, replying to an interjection, said he was unable to contiadict a statement that the vessels would go to New Zealand. That would not, however, affect their contract, and it would be a fortunate thing if New Zealand joined, for then it would become an Australaßian service.