The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-08-03

the contractors to keep anything
they may get from Honolulu and the
States. The contractors would like
wise require to connect between
Auckland and Sydney, which could
be easily done by arrangement with
the Union Steamship Company of
New Zealand.
So much for the proposals which
the Government were to submit to
the Legislature. But within the
past two months very strong oppo-
sitiOn to renewing the contract has
been organized in the interest of the
direct steamship service, and when it
is considered that discontinuing the
California mail service would add
from $125, 900 to $4,000 a year to
the earnings of these steamers, which
are largely owned in New Zealand,
the temptation to support the direct
route is very strong, more especially
as the distance between New Zealand
and London has been actually run
under 80 days. An average of 20 days
might De SafeIy counted on.
Our Wellington informant, who is
we'll qualified to speak on the subject,
states that unless the United States
at once contribute to the line, there
is little chance of the New Zealand
Parliament authorizing a continu-
ance of the American mail route. 1t
is felt, and with justice, that in this
matter the Colonies have been shah
billy and unfairly treated by the
United States, and that if America
wants to maintain direct commercial
and postal intercourse with Austria
liza and New Zealand, it must pay its
fair quota of the cost. San Francisco
merchants have taken up this mat
ter, and something favorable may
result from their united action. There
is very strong feeling against the
service OH account of the attitude of
the United States.
A me eting of the Wellington
Chamber of Commerce was held on
July goth, to discuss the renewal of
the subsidy to the San Francisco
mail service. Statistics were quoted
showing that very little of the pro-
ducts of New Zealand find their way
to the States, and the Chairman
thought it would be doing benefit
to the Colony if they could get the
subsidy now paid towards the San
Francisco service spent on some
other lines of steamers which were
helping to develop the resources of
the country. The following resolu-
ton was carried unanimously, and
ordered to be telegraphed to all the
Chambers Of Commerce in New Zea-
land: "That, in the opinion of this
Chamber, the San Francisco mail
service has ceased to be of import
ance, and ia the general interests of
the Colony it is desirable that
arrangements should be made for
fortnightly direct service"
This shows the status of the ques-
ton at the sailing of the Zealandia.
The Government proposal to be sub
mitted by Sir Julius Vogel is for an
eighteen day service between Auck-
land and San Francisco, calling at
Honolulu. OF course it should he
that the commercial
bodies of New Zealand are by no
means unanimous in wishing for a
of the California mail
line. It has always been unpopular
with Wellington because that city
was not made the port of call; but the
uncertainty regarding tenders for the
service from America, and the un-
businesslike methods of the United
States Government in regard to the
subsidy question, have created a
feeling. of general indifference, which
may easily be changed into one of
hostility.
AS Honolulu is greatly interested in
this question, we publish these de-
tails for Onnerol inflammation