The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1880-02-18
the Australian MALI service.

The San Francisco Post from circumstances
well-understood in journalistic circles, is q
better authority on Australian postal matters
than any paper published on the coast or in
the United States, and is probably better in
formed than. General Keyes himself. We
trust Congress will listen to its warning of the
jeopardy that surrounds this San Francisco
and Australian Nail, 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
services, and that healthy trade with the
colonies is opening up by its aid, besides the
| gains the railroads, hotels. Sc, are making
| out of passengers on their trans continental
trip, it would be policy instead of charging
double rates for transmitting closed mail
across the country, to frank the mail through
/ by railroad. This would be taking upon the
| United States only a reasonable share of the
cost. Without Imperial and colonial assis-
tanee, or both, this San Franchises line cannot
he maintained: and unless it is maintained.
California s young hut healthy and promising
/ general trade with the Colonies ceases. Any
member of Congress from the coast who does
not take the pains to master this Australian
mail question will have failed in his duty to
/ the people who elected him. The PoSi of Dec.
9Th says on this question:
Trade with Brazil and the Argentine Re
| public, we are told in the message to Congress
by President Hayes, is improving: and he
suggests the establishment of direct postal
! communication with those countries by Amer
lean ships. This is equivalent TO recommend
ing steamship subsidy Let us hope that
while the Brazilian trade is fostered our
| growing Australian trade may not be over
/ looked. 1t is kept up by colonial subsidies,
/ paid to the Pacific Nail Company. but is handi-
/ capped by excessive freight charges on British
! Enclosed mails crossing this continent. The
effect will be. unless Congress takes prompt
/ action IN this matter, 10 break down the Aus
1 tralian service altogether The British govern
ment has just approved contract BY the Mel
bourne government with the Peninsular and
Oriental Steamship Company, for a fortnightly
mail service to and from Australia, on condf-
ton of Sydney being made the terminus of the
line. This is done TO detach New South Wales
| from the New Zealand alliance, and cause it
/ to withdraw from the Pacific service via. San
| Francisco. The British government has mean
/ while doubled Its demands upon the contract
lng colonies exacting four cents for every two
cents now paid, on the ground that the excess
slve demands for the freight of inclosed mails
necessltates this measure. This new arrange
ment likewise takes effect in February next.
Unless Congress takes the matter in hand,
therefore. and deals with it in fair and gen.
erous spirit, British policy will prevail, be-
cause 1t is absurd to suppose that New South
Wales and New Zealand will continue to pay
high subsidy TO an American steamship COM
pany for the mere privilege of sending their
mail across this continent, while deriving no
advantage whatever from hostages.