FEDERAL MAIL CONTRACT

West Coast Times, Issue 14140, 17 June 1907, Page 2

FEDERAL MAIL CONTRACT

Melbourne Jane 16 Tbe Federal mail contract has devefr opad'a new phase.

Tbe Victorian Government bas now agreed to contribute the whole amount - of the guarantee needed for the synd^, cate'd debenture holders.

Ib rtturn for this the Victorian Govern* ' ment makes . certain stipulations which cx<lusively benefit tbe State. Thele conditions include; a first mortgage over*' tbe vessels; the guarantee to be inopera* live until ,the Ma ; l Syndicate has bailt right steamers and phced them Jn the running; all possible repairs and victual* ling to be done by tbe Syndicate expedi* tiously; Melbourne to be t!?e first poifc of call; over 1200 feet, of refrigerating space per vessel to be provided for Vie* toria during tbe batter and fruit seasons; Victoria to be represented «n the London and Melbourne Boards of the Line; and the right to be allowed tbe other States, to join in the payment of the guaiantea and benefits witbinsix months on payiog for the shareß on a per capita basis.

Sii Joha Forrest (Federal Treasurer) announces m connection with the mail contract that the matter is one that cannot be discussed and arranged between the, Stat9s and tbe mail contractors. The Commonwealth, he cays, will con* tinue to devote itself to seeing that) the terms of the mail contract it has entered into are carried out