The New York herald., 1869-03-27
The Ocean Mail Subsidies.

The subject OF ocean postage contracts was taken
up 10 the House OF Commons on the 18th INST The
matter was introduced by Mr. Seely. who rose to
move That the contracts entered into by the Post
master master General with Messrs. Cunard Co. ana Mr..
mnliaIn lnnan for the conveyance OF mails from this
country TO the United States be referred to select
conal,tee @ Of this House There were several rear
sons Wny ,ne practice TO which he about to call
attention should cease He compa,ned tnat
IN making these contracts the two principles
OF navng WI, "a, = nned subsidy and equality Of pay.
ment pe.ween tne several contractors had not been
complied with. Last year the honorable member FOR
M w M nj. scater- BootD SAID 1t was the inten-
ton OF tne government, In making new cootracts to
place all the companies on the same footing ana he
said II would be better toput an end to supsidizlng
lines OF steamers and TO establish free trade in the
carriage OF letters. That had not been done " The
Cunard Company had not been tied down IN 4 mar
nenlsr u,s time in performing the voyage, but the
Innan companies had q contract for eight wears.
but the North German Lloyds could only secure
Six months contract, and he understood thai
the Treasury had written TO the Post once "a nn,
an end to tho latter contract. The honorable mem
upon which the Cunard and Inman steamegs s.
been beyond their time on the voyages. We paid
much more for slow boats than we should have 10
pay Tor quicker The expensiveness OF the contract
with Messrs. Cunard would no doubt be urged, and
indeed, had been urged, against a reduction OF
postage Hear hear.l II we reduced the postage OF
letters TO the United States TO penny loss which
would be entaed thereby would be nothing ike the
loss We should sustain BY renewing the contract
with Messrs. Cunard. He objected TO the subsidies
for the purpose OF supporting monopolies and con-
cluded by moving for q select committee 10 inquire
into the circumstances under which the contract In
question was entered into.
Mr. Bailey seconded the motion. The contract
had been hastily entered into. The House had long
ago disapproved Of subsidies for the carriage OF let
ters lie believed that the charge OF penny for the
carrying OF letter to the United states would yield
asuicient pront 70 the owners OF vessels employed
IN the carrying OF letters II there were monopoly
In favor OF class OF vessels we might have daily
communication with America In both directions.
The Marquis OF Harrington believed there was no
intention on the Ministerial side Of the House TO OBJ
ject TO the appointment Of a committee. When the
present government came into once this contract
was signed, and they thought II would be nexpe-
dent TO withhold their sanction from what the late
government had approved OF, although the present
government were perfectly aware OF the strong OBJ
lection OF many members on the Ministerial
side Of the House TO the granting OF these sub
sldies. liear, hear.l The government desired,
II possible, that the House should have an
earlier opportunity than the contract contemplated
to consider the arrangement, aud asked Messrs,