AN IMPERIAL CABLE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 166, 22 October 1910, Page 5

AN IMPERIAL CABLE

ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. i!y Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright. London, October 21. Sir George Reid interviewed Lord Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and urged upon him the desirability of laying an Atlantic cable to connect with the Pacific line. He stated that good judges estimated it would pay handsonicily at one-third the present rates and profit was possible even if a second cable iiceamc necessary by way of precaution against a breakdown. ,Sir Ocorge Reid has arranged with the I'acilic Board to prepare a detailed expert report for Lord Crewe's consideration.

•SIR GEO. REID SPEAKS. Received 21, 10.30 p.m. London, October 21. Sir Geo. Reid incidentally mentioned to Lord Crewe a possible alternative route, avoiding dangers to trawling, viz., Shetland Island, Greenland and Labia dor. It would be no longer than the Atlantic route, and the greatest lengtn between land points would be only 850 miles. Experts calculate that it could be worked at four times the speed of the Atlantic. The drawback was that it touched Spanish territory, but only by wanton mischief or in case of war would it be cut. Sir Geo. Reid ascertained that there were only two British-owned cables the Anglo-American and the Direct United States Company, which was on the verge of absorption by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Representations had been initiated for a deferred Pacific rate. A meeting of the cable companies and the British Post Office would be called shortly to consider the matter.