The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-01-03
From the s. +. Merchant, Dec 49,
Our Australian Mail Service

The San Francisco Post IRON we'll
understood ia IJnru ,lisI,c circles. is a better. au-
thority on Australian postal matters than any pa
per published on this coast or in the United States.
and is probably better infnr med than General
Keyes himself. W. ItiISi Congress will listen 70
its warning of the jeopardy that surrounds this San
Franchises and Australian Mail, in time, and take
some measures to remove the causes which threaten
its withdrawal. Considering that the United
States pays no part of the subsidy which an
American Steamship Company receives for its SER
vices. and that q healthy trade with The colonies
is opening up by its aid besides the gains our
railroads. hotels. &c. are making out OF passengers
on their rans-cOntinenta trip, il would be policy
instead Of charging double rates for Transmitting a
closed mail across the country, to frank the mail
through by railroad. This wonld be taking upon
ourselves only a reasonable share Of the cost.
Without Imperial and colonial assistance or both
this San Francisco line cannot be maintained and
unless it is maintained. our young but healthy and
promising general trade with the colonies ceases.
Any member Of Congress from this coast who does
not take the pains to master this Australian mail
question will have failed in his duty 10 the peo-
pie who. elect him. The Post Of Dec. 9th says on
this question
Trade with Brazil and The Argentine Republic.
we are told in the message 10 Congress by Presi-
dent Hayes, is improving and be suggests the es-
Establishment OF direct postal communication with
those countries by American ships. This is equiv
alent to recommending a subsidy. Let ne hope /
that while the Brazilian trade is fostered our grow
ing Australian trade may not be overlooked.
1t is kept up by colonial subsidies paid to the
Pacific Mail Company. bat is handicapped by or y
cessive freight charges on British inclosed mails
crossing this continent. The effect will be, unless
Congress takes some action 10 this matter, 70
break down the Australian service altogether.
The British government has just approved q con;
tract by the Melbourne government with the PEN
insular and Oriental Steamship Company, for q
fOrtDightly mail service to aud from Australia on
condition of Sydney being made the terminus of
the line. This is done to detach New South
Wales from the New Zealand alliance, and cause
Francisco. The British government has mean
while doubled its demands upon the contracting
colonies, exacting four cents for every two cents
now paid, on the grounds that the excessive de-
mands of the United States government for the
freight of inclosed mails necessitates this measure.
This new arrangement likewise takes effect In
FEBRUARY next. Unless Congress takes the matter
in hand, therefore, and deals with it In a fair and
generous spirit, British policy will prevail, be-
cause il is absurd TO suppose that New South
Wales and New Zealand will continue TO pay
a high subsidy to an American steamship COM
pany for the mere privilege Of sending their mail
tage whatever from hostages.