§ 41 Sir JOHN PENNEFATHERasked the Postmaster-General the average time taken for the conveyance of mails by sea from this country to Australia, New Zealand, India and Ceylon, respectively, in the years 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1926?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONExcept during the War and the early post-War period, the average times taken in the conveyance of mails to the destinations named have not varied much. The mails for Australia now take 29 days to Adelaide as against 31 in 1900, and to Auckland via North America 31–34 days against 35 in 1900. To Bombay and Colombo the times (14½ days and 16 days respectively) are practically the same now as in 1900.
Sir F. HALLDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it is time that his Department, or the Government, got into communication with some of these shipping companies, in order to see whether they would put on quicker steamers so that the passage may be accelerated?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI would refer the hon. Baronet to the Report of the Imperial Shipping Committee, where the matter is most fully discussed.
Sir F. HALLIs the Postmaster-General not aware that these suggestions have been brought forward by the Prime Minister of Australia in regard to acceleration, and are the Government doing anything with regard to these proposals?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am fully aware of the facts, and all these schemes are being considered.