Untitled

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3180, 22 April 1871, Page 2

The Resolution. Seeing that neither of the Australian Colonies Las become party to the San Francisco Steam Contract; nnd that New Zealand has been left single handed to initinto this lino, the committee is of opinion that in tho futuro conduct of the service this colony should look to its own interests exclusively ; with which view it h expedient that tho steamers arriving at Auckland from Honolulu should proceed to Port. Chalmers instead of Sydney, calling at Wellington and intermediate ports, &o. Mr Stafford's Speech in the Assembly (Aug. 23, 1870.) If what is meant by a direct service as opposed to a branch service ia that tho steamer is not to go beyond New Zealand to get supplies here, and repairs done ; that, in Bhort, it is to bo a terminal flprvice in Now Zealand — that would be intelligible. I have no sympathy as between one port or anothor : I care not for any port except that which will enable the service to be performed at tho least cost to the country. This ought to bo tho feeling, and I take leave to say, is the feeling of every person in tho colony, excepting those who are connected with the particular port about which the question is raised as to whether it is to be the port of call I have no objection to this particular route. It may calm down some jealousies. I shall not take the responsibility of proposing an amendment " upon that ram, because I believe that tho country is anxious to see a service started ! by way of America. For a year or two tho sum of £40,000 will have to be paid by this country. The counj try having made up its mind to havo the service, must put its j hands into its pockets to pay for that service. ...... The conduct of Victoria in regard to this service hua been anything but creditable to her ; and even New South Wales appears to bo shillyshallying with tho service, although aho behaved well as to tho Panama service. I think New Zealand has a right to turn round and say to Victoria, "Wo will nofc send a letter of yours by this mail service to America, unless yon pay us what wo have a right to expect towards meeting the expenses — say a sum of £10,000 o-year— wo will nofc allow a single letter to go on, ■ and wo will inflict tho penalty of imprisonment on any person who attemptß to carry a letter." This is the

Mr Stafford's speech at Timaru, March 1, 1871. The presshas stated, without any contradiction of which I am aware, that Mr Neilson's contract, or presumed contract, with the Postmaster-Gene-ral has been repudiated, and that ho had no power to enter into it. I shall not be the least surprised if it is so. I cannot believo that sensible buainees men— and whatever qualities our American friends may be thought to be deficient in, they are not. thought to be deficient in matters of business-looking after their own interests, would, for £60,000, run their steame.-s not only from San Francisco to Auckland, but from Auckland to Port Chalmers, at an extra expenditure of some 800 or 1000 tons of coal. Ido not think it likely. I read that portion of the contract with great astonishment. I shall not be at aIJ surprised if Mr Wobb refuses to ratify that contract. . If they could go into the dock that is now being made at Port Chalmers, and some profit could be got from tho repairs of these Btoamerß, it might be different, but thoy are about fortyfivo feet too wide to enter that dock. They might just as well be. ten thousand miles away for any good that they could do to Port Chalmers. It is as great a delusion to the people of Port Chalmers as has ever yot boen imposed by a bold financier on a confiding public. . . I can only say it is my intention, when the question comes beforo tho House of Representatives, to support the very cheapest postal line that will communicate with England via America, I think that ib quite sufficient for us. Wo do not want to go in at present for expensive luxuries. . . . But thero is another elomont in the proposal I think very unwise, and that is tho positive affront proposed to bo put upon the Australian colonies. If thoy hud declared war upon U3, then beat them and affront them if you like. But we have got to look at tlioin as a people of tho Bame race struggling into a future nationality as wo hope to do ourselves. Our interests are so largely idontical that, instead of flouting and repelling them, I think wo ought at all times be prepared to hold out our hands half-way to meet thorn. There should bo a mutual sympathy between the English-speaking colonies in the Pacific. I think a judicious di-

proper attitude for this country to take towards Victoria. Some such action will bring Victoria to her senses, not only with regard to this service, but also in regard to a large number of questions in which she affects to dominate and control the other groups of colonies in the Pacific If in office, I should take this line of action towards her. I would not allow her to send asingleletter ; l ivould shut her letters out. She took oxactly tho eaoie lino towards South Australia whon the Suez steam mail service was sturted. Victoria seized hoi 1 lotter-boxes.andwould not send them home. And the consequence was thut South Australia was obliged to contribute to the service. We shouldcompel Victoria to contribute to the service by similar action. We should take the same course witli regard to the Customs duties. I should give certain notice, so as not to inconvenience commercial men ; and if she did not lower her duties on certain articles, the produce of New Zealand, wo should not allow a single pocket-hand-kerchief to bo landed from Victoria. The time is fast coming when that will be the attitude which tho colonies will take towards each other. I | would bo firm with Victoria from tho first in regard to this matter and say thatnotono letter, book, or parcel I would bo sent unless they paid a certain sum down. I would name the price to them, and they would very soon find themselves obliged to find the money. Pressure would soon be brought on tbe Victorian Parliament by the merchants of Victoria, who could not afford to be shut out from the American market, when other places were enjoying that advantage.

plomacy would try to strengthen that sympathy, and that a feeling of unity ought to exist between New Zealand and the neighboring Golonies. . . We cannot coerce them, and if they see we are determined to repel them, and to keop at arm's length those willing to form friendships, they will have nothing to do with us. I should like roomy accommodation. But in no way should we gain by repelling Australia. We would create a feeling which does not exist yet — a feeling of antagonism — without putting one penny into our pockets.