§ MR. CHARLES DEVLIN (Galway)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Allan Line new steamer " Victorian" accomplished the voyage, with Canadian mails, in five days, five hours, having left Rimoriski at 9.30 a.m. on Friday, June 23rd, and reached Moville on June 28th at 1.30 p.m.; and whether, in view of the fast service provided by this boat and other new steamers of this line and other lines carrying the mails to Canada, he will, with a view to an economical and expeditious service, consider the advisability of in future having all mid-week mails intended for Canada forwarded by these lines, instead of dividing them as now between German and other lines running to New York.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI am aware of the efforts which are being made to improve and accelerate the direct packet service between this country and Canada; and the hon. Member may rest assured that full use will be made of that service for the conveyance of mails for the Dominion. If the day of sailing of the direct Canadian steamers remains Thurs day, as at present, I anticipate that it will be advantageous to send a consider able portion of the mid-week mails for Canada by them.