THE ALL-RED ROUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2202, 28 May 1908, Page 1

THE ALL-RED ROUTE.

A PAPER BY LORD STRATHCONA.

Lord .-Strathcona, the High Commissioner for Canada, read a paper on the “All Red Route” before the ■Royal Colonial Institute last month. :«I ani not exactly a young man,” ho said, “and the years remaining to me may bo few, but I hope I may, live to see the All-Red. route in operation. I believe it,is destined to fulfil tho most sanguine expectations of those who look upon it a ; s likely to provo of the greatest possible benefit to the Motherland, Canada- -and Australasia, and to the Empire at large.” The whole question, he observed, was being examined by a committee appointed by the Imperial Government. This committee -had not yet reported, but there was no doubt that the Governments of Great Britain, Canada,. New Zealand and 'Australia were committed to the principle of improved comnmnicataion to the Antipodes by way of the Atlantic, the Canadian, railways, and the Pacific. The question was one of policy. The service would improve the communication between the United Kingdom and Canada,- and enable mails and passengers to bo conveyed between tho two countries more rapidly than at present; It would draw a certain portion' of Canadian travel, which now passed by way of New York, back to : its proper channel. It would provide a faster service than at present to New Zealand and Australia, saving at least ten days to the former, and two days to the latter. It would bo an alternative, route to the Eatet. It would strengthen Great Britain’s position in. the Atlantic, aiid furnish additional armed cruisers to aid in keeping the route open in time of war. It would assist in giving Great Britain the control of the Pacific trade, 'which might pass out of her hands if the route were not utilised. It would provide armed cruisers on tho Pacific. It would be available for the conveyance of troops and supplies to the East, and would be less liable to interruption than any other route. It would bring tho different countries in closer touch with each other, and help the consolidation of the Empire -and would supplement the Pacific cable to Australasia. Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, Lord Strathcona added, wanted the service, and the proposal had been received with much sympathy in the Mother Country. Sir J. C. R. Colomb,, who was present, urged that instead of placing £500,000 into tlie project, Great Britain ought to put the money into two battleships, blit the subsequent discussion was very emphatically in favor of the establishment of the All Red service.