NEWS OF THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 5

NEWS OF THE EMPIRE.

PLEA FOR CHEAPER CABLES. NECESSITY FOR BETTER SERVICE. By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 19, 10.40 p.m. London, August 18. The memorandum presented to the Imperial Conference on behalf of the Empire Press Union has been made available. Dealing with cable rates, it says it is believed the volume of news passing between the Dominions and Britain themselves is primarily dependent on the cost of transmission, and so long as the cost remains a serious consideration to newspaper proprietors information from overseas must remain spasmodic and fail to secure the interest of readers, upon which depends the service and influence of the Press. Intermittent information about the Dominions cannot provide even a general picture of the Empire, and cannot make clear to the community Imperial interests, which need extension. Until the rates for Press matter are made very low only events of outstanding Importance can be reported, and the intervals of silence will prevent the establishment of a connected impression of thought, action and events in general. It is believed that when the cable rates become nominal the public will be able to secure familiarity with the affairs of the Dominions and a larger volume of news will be called for.

Emphasis is also laid upon the importance of reliability and rapidity of transmission. An Empire wireless chain is regarded as imperative, and the restoration of deferred Press rates is also essential.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.