Year: 1868

MIR. Narigny said that he had a dispatch from n


greater man than Mr. Harris = the Post Master Gen.


era OF the United States in which he stated the


United States Government had subsidized the China


line with large yearly subsidy, and that the line


would touch at these Islands lie asked where is the
line that was to touch here on their way To China
Inc company had promised 10 touch here, and We


had the Post Master Generals word for il.
Mr. knudsen said he thought Mr. Harris word


ought 10 be believed and the Ministers hal right


To donbt its veracty that before the Committee ON
Commerce, the agents, and the special agent Mr.


Holiday, assured the Committee that one steamer
would run for ten years, and the Ministers try to


deny that fact and base their argument the fact


that we viii not have steam communication unless


pay $4,000 for it, when they know that one steamer


has contracted TO run for ten years


MIR. Hitchcock-The whole argument of the sup


porers OF this bill has been basel upon the idea that


II We DO not pass the bill all steam communication will


be Withdrawn from Is such however the fact. On


the contrary, what Is the testimony in the report Of
the Committee ON Commerce to this Pointl IL
sworn To before them, by the agents of the line that
one steamer would run for ten years. IL must be
allowed by the supporters of the bill, the affirmative
In the question, that steam communication is slready
fixed flct amongst us, and will continue 20 be.


Because we may not have II in style equal tO the
hrst nations OF the earth, shall go beyond
means TO purchase the luxury Of a more frequent
steam communication when already have il per-
manently7 would briefly state, Mr.. Chairman my
objections to the present bill and tine proposed
subsidy.


lst-We have a subsidy pruportiona:e to
means. If the Honorable Members the affirma-
tive viii take the trouble TO the session laws
for 1862, they will there find an unrepealed act in
aid Of I" rrans-Picihc Steam Navigation" By the
terms Of the act wharfage, water rates, n piece of
land To build ON, &c, are guaranteed TO the first line
OF steamers who shall arrive here, and for the space
of five years. Wharf accommodations have been
expressly made at the expense Of over $4,000, to
show that the Government was in Mr. Speak
er, along comes the California. Oregon and Mexican
= - Company, and takes the benefit of this act
benefit which the whole civilized world knew Of and
knew, moreover, 10 be in fair proportion means.
This company started from San Francisco with these
facts only in view, and forsOoth, when they arrive
here they have the cheeky assurance to ask for an
addition of $4,000 subsidy Ii is idle to talk of
the great blessings they design confer in exchange
Corporations have mo souls, AMI with this one, it is
simply matter OF $4,000 more They not
for our people They not who are compelled to
pay, so long as they obtain their end.


I'll We have no assurance that the company VIII
contract upon the terms of the bill. They have
agent here who IS authorized TO do, and il has
been remarked outside of this House. by the only
agents Of the company, that they did not think the
home company wouli close contract upon the
proposed In that case, Mr. Speaker, can only say,
what is the of legislHting upon such uncer-
taiItes1


3d-If We pass this BILL we shall be assisting to
put irresponsible corporation upon firm basis,
and. the end Of the two years, having run of the
packets, should be at the mercy of uncontroll-
able monopoly. The supporters of subsidy admit
that the packets will be run oil We cannot of course
contract with any company and dictate terms TO
them for longer period than We propose to benefit
them-two years. What will be the result at the end
Of that period? Our packet lines will all have been
run or Our steam line will have passed from under
all our controlling power, and backed by capital Of
millions they will bid defiance AMI our in
terests, and will charge just such for freight
passage as they may think would be compelled TO
give Should stray packet happen along, freight
would go down, but should there be none, advantage
would be taken and freights go up, as has already
been the case with this company the Victoria
route


4th-we shall be called upon to drain the country
OF 500 OOOO hard cash, 20 effect the objects OF the
bill, and that damage will be instant Mr.. Speaker,
does any one mean to say that our poor Kingdom can
Afford drain OF this $50, 900 to be sent out of the
country? Our cash is life blood. Drain away
that and you render faint. Bleed freely for
our benefit, but don't ask us to bleed to supply
the veins Of n company already backed up by cap
ital Of ten millions, especially when that company
going to run here any way for ten years


5th-By passing this bill incur debt TO act like
incubus upon the country for the space of % years.
Twenty-Five years Mr.. Speaker. The amount of the
per bill, will be SCI ,OOOi Amount Of
principal fifty thousand! ! Sum total $4,000!
That is say that for the space of % years after
control over the company shall have ceased, this
country must still pay for the effects Of the little brief
authority Of two years


Gth-The affirmative say that we are junction on
the high road Of travel and traffic of the Pacific;
of the ocean, and il behOoves not 10 let this
golden opportunity pass from grasp, we must be
first in the field. Mr. Speaker if it is true that
are such n center, would remind the supporters of
the bill that it is law in natural philosophy that all
things seek their ceners Centers need not be careful
seek out attractions. They will naturally attract
everything towards themselves Let then
center simply prepare ourselves, by the policy of
pushing forward internal improvements, to welcome
all the worll Of the Pacific who shall seek us "a
center.


After some dcsultory remarks from Mr. Koakanu,
the Assembly adjourned