THE NEW MAIL SERVICE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8188, 20 July 1906, Page 3

THE NEW MAIL SERVICE.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. PROSPECTIVE EXTENSION TO SEW ZEALAND.

Australian flleß to haurl contain particulars of tha new mail contract entered into by the 'Commonwealth Government. The contract, which has already been briefly outlined in our cable nee sage , stipulates for a service between Adelaide and Brindisi. It is for ten yeurp, and will replace the existing Orient-Royal contraofc when it expires in February, 1908. The price »«reed upon for the new service is £125,000 per annum, but provision hua been made for au acceleration of 24 houra between Uriudisi ana Adelaide, which will briag to the company an extra £25,000 to cover the expenses so inourred. This price icust be compared wilh that now paid to theOrinnt Royul Mail Company, namely, £120,000 ner annum for a e-ervice of 696 hours, which is equal to >bout 3a 8d per mile, us compared with 3b lOd per mile to be paid for an acceleration of 60 hours.

The steamers under the 636 boors' time table would leave Brindisi, calling en route at Port Said, Co lombo, and Fremantle, and would arrive at Adelaide, In time for Saturexpress, thus euablng a simultaneous delivery of mails to be made in both Sydney and Melbourne early on Monday, aDd permitting of replies bein« sent by the outward mail of the san:e week. Oh th« outward journey the steamers will leave Adelaide on Friday. In connection with this improved ocean mail service an improved railway service is contemplated, avoiding delays which now ooour, and ensunug greater expedition in both directions. Provision hos been made in the contract for the acquisition of steamers to be employed under it by purchase, or alternatively for their charter if desired. The port of registry will be with the Com-non-wealtb, and the steamers will fly the Commonwealth flag. In connection with the cost of the new service it may be well to mention that the payments to bo made by Great Britain and other countries will amount to about £35,000 per annum, while on the other hand, it is estimated that the payments made by Australia to flreat Britain for mails carried by the P. and 0. or other steamers under contract to the Imperial Government will, at the same rateß, aggregate about £25,000 per annum, leaving a balance in favour of Australia of about £IO,OOO per annum. White labour only will .be employed in connection with the car riage of malls. Five tenders were received for the service and tb*» loweßt waß accepted, that of Sir James Laing and Sons. Thp stipulations as to penalties for late arrivals, etc., are more stringent then those under the present contract, and altogether the contract compares most favourably with that now current.

While Mr Deakin was announcing the particulars of the new contiaot to the Federal House of Representatives there were a number of interjections and muoh information was sought by legislators. "Have they contracted to go to other porta?" said an interjeotor. "There is no contract," replied Mr Deakin. "1 have every hope they will proceed not only to Melbourne and Sydney, but also to Brisbane". > , "Are they going to New Zealand 1 ?" was another question. Mr Deakin: "I have seen statements made in the press to that effect, and I am not in a position to give a contradiction. It will not, however, affeot our oontraot in the slightest degree. The contractors will in no way be relieved from their obligations under our contract. It will be a fortunate thing if the Government of New Zealand and see it way to join in the service, and it would then become an Australasian one." Mr Deakin also stated that although the service is for mail purposes only, the Government was informed that the cool storage accommodation of the steamers would be about three ;times as large as that provided by the steamers at present under contract. There was a strong disposition to mak*> ose of cool storage, ~hioh disposition might be expected to increase in view of the increase in the speed of the new service. 1 - From enquiries made by the Sidney Daily Telegraph, it appears the new service is looked upon ps a distinct gain for the commercial community. City men are agreed that, in regard to the additional time provided for answering correspondence, the Commonwealth has made a very good bargain, cut the fear is expressed that in time of emergency Sydney and Melbourne may be omitted as ports of call, the steamers of the new combination leaving Adelaide direct for New Zealand. It seems to be taken for granted by a section of the importing firms in Sydney that a contract for extension of the service will be entered into by the New Zealand Government.