NATIONALISED CABLES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 370, 17 June 1911, Page 5

NATIONALISED CABLES.

AN ALL-RED ROUTE.

MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONCESSIONS. IMPORTANT DISCUSSION. By Telegraph..—Press Association.—Copyright Received June 17, 9.5 p.m. London, Yesterday. At the Imperial Conference Sir Joseph Ward, in moving a motion in favour of a reduction in cable rates, said much had been accomplished, but the cheapening had not gone far enough. Postal experiencce showed | that a reduction of charges to a point securing to the pubilc the freer use of | the services produced a more hopeful profitable working. It was the over sea feeling that the present rates were due to a ring in the cable world. He hoped the Conference would effect an improvement in the direction of a more; general use of the cables. Mr Herbert Samua 1 , PostmasterGeneral, sympathised with and supported the resolution. Since the last Conference, the press rates had been reduced, but he agreed the progress made wan not adequate. Steps were being taken to secure a cheapening in several directions; first, by a hoped for fifty per centum reduction on deferred cables; secondly by a further reduction in the press rate; thirdly, the British Government intended to insert a clause in new landing cable licenses, giving control over the rates and providing security to the companies against the abuse of that power, by an appeal to the Railway and Canal Commission; fourthly, developing wireless telegrams, which would have some effect on cable rates. He assured the Conference that the passing of the resolution would be followed by an effective achievement of the a>ms of the Conference. Sir Wilfrid Laurier declared that all the trouble existing at present was due to the Atlantic cable companies. The impression in Canada, almost amounting to conviction, was that a combine existed. Mr Samuel's suggestion would deal with the combination. Mr Fisher said the increased facilities of the reduced rates appealed principally to Australia and New Zealand, because they were dependent upon the cables for European and American information. He asked whether it was feasible to grant a low rate over the Pacific cable for news cabled from Autralia to Montreal whence it could be posted to Britain. Mr Pearce asked whether the Post-master-General had any' informtion regarding the refusal of the Treasury to sanction the construction of a new cable from New Zealand to Australia by the Pacific Cable Buard, on the ground that it would interfere with the development of wireless telegraphy. Mr Samuel agreed to inform the Exchequer of the strong desire of Australia and New Zealand to have the Cable Board authorised, as far as Britain's consent was concerned, to lay a cable. Mr Asquith also promised consideration, and the resolution was then adopted. Mr Pearce moved the nationalisation of the Atlantic cable to Australia. He believed this was the only way to get the beneficial result outlined from the All Red cable, including the Atlantic cable and the Canadian land line. The former cost £480,000, the land lines £120,000 and the estimated, working and maintenance of the cable was £21,500 and of the land line £32,000 with a set off

of certain existing expenses amounting to £22,000. It was estimated the Board would have an immediate revenue of £36,000 in addition to any new business. An All Red line was feasible and was unlikely to require special financial assistance from the Governments. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, after Mr Samuel's statement in connection with the previous resolution, preferred to reserve judgment at present on the proposal. Sir Joseph Ward was strongly of opinion that nationalisation was the right course to take. Mr Samuel's proposals were important, but the rates could only be placed on a satisfactory basis through the Government's ownership. Nationalising was of greater importance from an,lmperial view point than a concession in rates