On Tuesday Sir Joseph Ward, the Premier of New Zealand,
in a speech at Wellington declared that he would not rest satisfied till the "All-Red Route" was an accom- plished fact. The coaling of the Pacific steamers would be no more difficult than the coaling of steamers which use the Suez Canal. As we have already said, we are heartily in favour of accelerating the communications of the Empire. If the journey from London to New Zealand could be reduced from the present thirty-seven days to twenty-five days, that would be something like a revolution, and the Empire would gain vastly in many ways by feeling that the different parts had been drawn closer together. But it is just because we desire to see the " All-Red Route " established that we are anxious that the proposal should be thoroughly practical, and not sentimental. The criticisms of experienced men must be carefully examined, not majestically waved aside.
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