A NEW LINE FROM SEATTLE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13978, 10 May 1913, Page 5

A NEW LINE FROM SEATTLE

The proposed new steamship service to Australia from Seattle in connection with, one of the great American railway companies, talked, of recently, was the subject of some rumours in circulation some months ago, says an Australian paper. So far it would appear as if the movement is to be kept a close secret until all plans are matured, but, all the same, sufficient has been allowed to leak out to permit the expression- that, should it really be established, the line will be most welcome. Practically speaking, we here in the colonies will be brought closer to the United Kingdom by a week, whilst to the American terminal, Seattle, the journey will’ I-o' made in sixteen days, a most valuable saving of time. And another aspect is, of course, a fresh avenue for trade, a thing itself that must be appreciated. Indirectly, no doubt, the move is a sequence to the proposed reduction in the American tariff on wools and other lines Australia can supply, a factor which will also spur on other lines to do better, even than they have been doing in the past in catering for trade. And, it is clear, also, that Mr Hill, who seems to have control of the matter, will make a strong bid for a share in the passenger traffic between Australia and America, for, although he has' given so few particulars, it is obvious that, re, regards the class of vessel and their equipment, the line will be remarkable. However, so little official publicity has been given the matter that it is impossible to review the prospects further, but should it really comes about there is no reason to doubt that the prospects are sufficiently bright to allow prediction that from one end of the Commonwealth to the other the line will be appreciated* and is further signs of onr growing importance as a trading centre.