CABLES AND RATES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 566, 22 July 1909, Page 5

CABLES AND RATES.

STATE-OWNED. LINES.

CANADA'S ATLANTIC PROPOSITION.

AUSTRALIAN OPPOSITION. ;,; (By TelcßrnDh.-Presii Atsoclatlon.-OopyrlßbU (Rcc. July 21, 11.40 p.rri;) v ■-'■■■. ■ Perth, July 21. ; News, by mail steamer showe that the motion by Mr. Roes (Canada,) ,at the Press Conferonoo foT .acquiring a ' State-owned cable between Canada and Britain was opposed by Mr. Cunningham (Melbourne "Argus") and Mr. Ward ("Sydney 'Daily Telegraph"). The latter thought it. very desirable that the Conference should be unanimous. Would Mr. Ross amend his motion restricting its application to wireless telegraphy? ..They already had one .State-owned cable across the Pacific,, and financially it had been a disappointment. Ho said that with regret, because he had always been a supporter of that cable; but in view of its financial results he could not vote for tie extension of the State-owned jdea, •

Mr. Ross declined to accept.the suggea-

Mr. Cunningham said he wished to make clear the attitude of himself and some of his fellow Australiaa delegates* They could not vote for the motion because it aimed'at the" establishment of Government cables without compensation to< the Owners of existing cables, and such action was practically confiscation. A cable supported.,' by -Hho long puree of the Government might lead to the destruction of the existing ,cable' companies. There was a principle at stake, and in view of that he and some of his fellow delegates would not vote for the motion: •

Mr. Stanley; Reed (India)'wae surprised it this opposition- ; to, State-Owned cables from an Australian delegate' in : view of; Wie fact that Australia enjoyed cheaper cablegrams/* and thai because of State-owned cables. ■■':''..»

Mr. Cunningham: We should have bad them cheaper without the Pabifio cable. * The motion was agreed to without dissent, although, several Australian, delegates did not vote.

PRESS CADLECRAM3,

'THE AUSTRALIAN LAND CHARGES." Melbourne, July'2l. The- Federal Government has formally notified tli© Eastern Extension and the other associated cable companies of its .willingness to concede cheaper press rates. The Postmaster-General (Sir John Quick), states that no reply will be made regarding the Eastern Extoneiou Group's proposed reduction until the Government heare from i tho Pacific Cablo'Board. . ' Whatever concession is granted on ono cable line, he adds, will , be granted on tho other. ALLEGED MONOPOLY. (Reo. July 21, 11.30 p\m.) Melbourne, July 21. In the Federal Senate ! Senator Pearco (who was Minister for Defence in the Fisher Government) asked whether the Government had agreed to a reduction of tho land charges on press cables, \ and whether tho daily proas to which this conce'sslon' was being made had given a guarantee to have all the messages sent ,over tho Pacific cablo and not over"' the Eastorri Extension Company's lines. Ho asked if > it,was ;not< a fact that tho messages wcro now., dispatched over the latter. Seeing that the daily press had a monopoly, be asked would tho Government see that, in any agreoment, the country newspapers, which were customers of the syndicate, would also.receive concessions. - .

Senator- Poarco also asked for leave ' to give notice of questions with reference to a irecont. , statement made in a business circular—that press cablegrams were obtained through one channel only, and' that, the agreement, in restraint of trade, forbids a pnpor to receive or publish independent cablegrams. -

Tho Attorney-General (Mr. Glynn) says that the statement referred to does not allege facts which; if proved, would justify a prosecution; but if 'there are facts available from any source calling for inquiry, full consideration will bo given to them.