§ Mr. HANNONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the disorganisation in the mail service between this country and New Zealand, and that on 20th December, 1921, five English mails arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, on the same date, though these had been dispatched on different days ranging from 28th October to 11th November; and whether, in view of the extreme inconvenience caused to traders by the uncertainty which now prevails, he will take steps to bring about a greater regularity of dispatch from the United Kingdom and also approach the Postal Department of New Zealand in order to effect a similar improvement in the service from that country?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYDuring the period mentioned by the hon. Member mails for New Zealand were dispatched on the 3rd of November via Suez, on the 4th and the 7th of November, for conveyance, by the "Marama" from Vancouver, and on the 9th of November by the "Ruahine," via the Panama Canal. It is known that the "Marama" was three days late, and arrived at Wellington on the 20th of December; and it is not unlikely that the other two mails arrived about the same time. There is nothing remarkable in this, as they were dispatched within a week of each other by different routes. The mails for New Zealand are dispatched as regularly and as frequently as the existing opportunities will allow. The normal service is once a fortnight via Suez and once a fortnight via Vancouver or San Francisco, but the latter service is somewhat irregular. The homeward service is under the control of New Zealand; but I am having inquiry made of the New Zealand Post Office whether any improvement can be effected.