§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Postmaster-General whether, during the last six months, he has received any representations from the High Commissioner for New Zealand regarding the unsatisfactory mail service from Great Britain to New Zealand; whether he is aware that, owing to the dislocation of the Vancouver service, dispatches to New Zealand have not averaged more than two per month, whereas excellent opportunities of sending mails by New Zealand transports have occurred at least once per week and sometimes three times; and whether he will give instructions that every such opportunity in future shall be taken advantage off
§ Mr. PEASEI have received no such representation from the High Commissioner for New Zealand during the last six months. I am aware that the steamship service from Vancouver to New Zealand is disorganised, and no mails from this country have been forwarded to the Dominion by that route since January last. My right hon. Friend arranged in February last with Sir Joseph Ward, Postmaster-General of the Dominion, to send the mails by every direct steamer which appeared likely to be advantageous; and this course has since been consistently followed with beneficial results.