§ SIR J. SWINBURNEI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Times newspaper of 1st April that the French packet Polynesia left Adelaide 19 hours after the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Victoria, and reached Marseilles four days in advance of that steamer; and whether in future he will arrange that the Australian mails shall be carried by the quickest vessels?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONSuch a paragraph as is referred to in the question appeared in the Times, and no doubt meant to refer to the Polynesian, which left Adelaide 3rd March, and reached Marseilles 30th March. The Victoria left Adelaide 2nd March, and reached Brindisi 1st April, a day and a half before her contract time. The French steamers leave Adelaide only once in each calendar month; the English contract service regularly every week. To keep the mails out of the regular contract packet, whenever it chanced that a quicker French boat was to start shortly, would be to sacrifice the regularity of the service for the sake of an occasional quick transit. This would be very undesirable; and I cannot undertake to do so.
§ SIR J. SWINBURNEWill the Australian mails continue to be sent by steamers which are beaten by four days on the voyage by steamers of another line?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONIt is in pursuance of the contract entered into by agreement with the Colonies for what was thought a fairly rapid service. I could not possibly disturb this for the sake of using a French steamer, which only goes once a month.
§ SIR J. SWINBURNEWhen does the contract expire?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONIf the hon. Member will put down that question I will answer it. I cannot give him the information now.