PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 3121, 3 November 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1 THE CABLE TARIFF DISPUTE. The Cahlo Company kave notified Government of the increase in the tariff, but the latter hare not taken any action in collecting it. The Chairman of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company hns forwarded to Sir Julius Vogel the following teleirrr.Di:—"3oth.-I Imve received your telegram of this date. We declined the renewal of the subsidy

for five years, because the service had been so unrenumerative. We c»n■idered tbe bargain a hard one. How'ever, subsequently, nine months ago, we offered to accept it. We did so in the hope that, before the termination of the five years, such arrangements would be made on the guarantee principle as would give to the colonies very mueh lower rates. As to increas ing the terminal charges to 4s, you would tax the telegraphing public of New Zealand and the cither Australian Colonies, as the terminal charge must be added to the cable tariff of 10s. We have already explained to you that the International Telegraph Office has nothing whatever to do with local tariffs, only international; therefore notice from Berne is unnecessary." The following is a cablegram sent by Sir J. Vogel to the Chairman of the Eastern Telegraph Company on October 30:—"In reply to your telegram.— When you were offered terms authorised byParliamentyou refused to accept them. I now protest against increase of rates without notice from International Office, and shall report the course you have taken. Meanwhile give you notice if you raise rates on Monday that we require terminal charge four shillings ten words, and fivepence each word additional on all inward intercolonial messages." The Superintendent of the Cable Company at Wakapuaka telegraphs:— "Cable Company determined to enforce new tariff. The terminal charge which New Zealand threatens to impose on all received inter-colonial messages will be collected from the senders of such messages."