PACIFIC CABLE ROUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 264, 6 April 1914, Page 5

PACIFIC CABLE ROUTE.

REDUCTION OF CHARGES URGED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington. Saturday Night. The Hon. R. H. Riodes, PostmasterGeneral, interviewed by a Star reporter with reference to the Pacific Cable, pointed out that the Department had at various' times urged upon the Pacific Cable Board a reduction on the ordinary cable charges for messages to and from the United Kingdom. The negotiations extended from May, 1912, to February last. 'The High Commissioner telegraphed that, he had carried a, motion for a reduction in the cable rate, but notice was given to rescind the motion. Last month the Postmaster-Gen-eral sent a reply approving of the Higft Commissioner's action in urging the ratification, and strongly opposing the rescinding of the motion. Mr. Rhodes said that the system was inaugurated on January 4, 1913, and the return for the year ended December 31 showed the number of messages forwarded to be 2845 via the Pacific, the value of which was £3155. The number of messages sent via the Eastern cable was 539, to the value of £725. The number of messages received via the Pacific was 537 and via the Eastern 771. Mr. Rhodes showed a return indicating the deficiencies on the working of the Pacific cable since its inception. The total deficit for last year was :C32,21>9, the amount paid by New Zealand being £3586.