AUSTRALIAN MAILS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14583, 4 February 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN MAILS

DELAYS COMPLAINED OF. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 3, 7.50 p.m. LONDON, February 2. Business men arc complaining at the delays in connection with mails carried by (he Orient steamers from Australia, instancing the Orvielo’s mails, which arrived at Toulon on Sunday and were not completely delivered this afternoon. The post office informs the Australian Press Association that the Orient mails necessarily occupy one. and frequently two, days more than the Peninsular, owing to the use of Toulon instead of .Marseilles. A resumption of transhipments at Italian ports is impossible in view of the coal and railway position, though the Italian Govermnent is eagerly seeking a renewal of Ihc former contract. On the other hand the Peninsular line gains 24, an 1 sometimes •8. hours through (he use of their own limited express from Mar siiiles. The post office lias requested the Orient company to use Marseilles, where, though unable to regularly catch the Peninsular limited, it would always obtain the most rapid through transit of mails to London. The Orient Company, which has omitted the Marstillos call for 10 years, is unwilling to resume calling there on (he ground that it is an unsafe port in bad weather. The Orient emphasises the past delay and risks at Marseilles, Iml shipping and business circles scout the danger in view of the Peninsular Company’s experience. The Orient Company declares II at it is not prepared to renew the Marseilles call merely in order to counteract French railway deficiencies, and emphasises Ihc necessity for the post ofllce pressing France to arrange to attach mail coaches to the expresses from Toulon to Marseilles. II is impossible for mail fleets at present to resume the pre-war weekly service, but minimum fortnightly services with occasional intermediates have been arranged.