THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13279, 19 January 1911, Page 2

THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

THE NEW CONTRACT. Statement by Sir Joseph Mills. (Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, January 18; Sir James Mills returned by the Ulimaroa to-day. Interviewed by a. Post reporter regarding the mail service, Sir James said that, on seeing Mr Fisher at Melbourne, he found the Commonwealth Prime Minister took up a strong attitude on the matter, intimating that while New Zealand enjoyed a more favourable tariff arrangement with Canada than Australia did he could not think of joining in subsidising line via Auckland, to the exclusion of Brisbane and Melbourne, though if it were possible to arrange for Australia to have the same tariff advantages as New Zealand, he would have no objection to call at Auckland. Sir James further learned that it is intended to discuss the question of a reciprocal tariff arrangement between Australia and Canada when the Prime Ministers meet in London. As this would leave the matter of a continuance service in a state of uncertainty, the Canadian Government decided to close with the Union Company for a service between Vancouver and Auckland, via Honolulu and Suva, 28 day trips, reserving tho right to require the company to continue to Sydney, or perhaps to Melbourne, should Australia later desire to become a party to the contract. The present intention of the contractors is to employ three steamers, and extend to Sydney as hitherto.