EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10265, 17 June 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE CONFERENCE

THE GABLE SERVICES.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S RESOLUTION CARRIED.

(Received Last Night, 9.5 o'clock.)

LONDON, June 16

At the Imperial Conference to-day, Sir Joseph Ward, in moving his motion in favour of a reduction in cable rates, said that much had already been accomplished, but the cheapening of the rates had not gone far enough. The postal experience showed that a reduction in charges to a point securing the. puplic freer use of the services had produced more profitable working. There was, he said, an oversea feeling that the present rates were due to a "ring" in the cable world. He hoped that the Conference would effect -in improvement in the direction of a more general use of the cables. HON HERBERT SAMUEL FAVOURABLE. The Right Hon. Herbert Samuel, Postmaster-General, sympathised with and supported the resolution. Since the last Conference, the Press rates had been reduced : but he agreed that the progress was not adequate. Steps were being taken'to secure cheapening in several directions. Firstly, he hoped for a fifty per cent, reduction on deferred cables; secondly, a further reduction in the Press rate: thirdly, the Government intended to insert a clause in the new landing licenses, giving control over the rates, and providing a security to companies against an abuse of that power by an appeal to a R.ailway and Canal Commission ; fourthly, the development of wireless telegraphy, which would have some effect iinon the cable rates. He assured the Conference that the roassine of the resolution would be followed by an effective achievement. SIR WILFRID LAURIER.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier declared that all the trouble existing at present was due to the Atlantic cable. The impression in Canada, almost amounting to a conviction, was that a combine existed. The Hon. Mr Samuel's suggestion would deal with such a combination. THE HON A. FISHER. The Hon. A. Fisher said the increased facilities of reduced rates appealed principally to Australia and New Zealand. because they were dependent on the cables for European and American information. He asked if it would be feasible to grant a low rate over the Pacific cable for news cabled from Australia to Montreal, whence it could be posted to Britain. MR PEARCE.

Mr Pearce asked whether the Posti master-General had any information ! in regard to the refusal of the Treas- ! ury's sanction to the construction of 1 a new cable from New Zealand to Australia by the Pacific Cable Board, on the ground that it would interfere with the developments in wireless telegraphV. I MR SAMUEL IN REPLY.

I The Hon. 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. RESOLUTION ADOPTED. The Right Hon. H. H. Asquith also promised consideration of the ( resolution, which was then adopted. THE ATLANTIC CABLE. 1 Mr Pearce moved in the direction of the nationalising of the Atlantic cable to Australia. He said he believed that this was the only way to get a beneficial result. He outlined an "All Red" cable, including the Atlantic . cable and a Canadian land line. The i former would cost and the land lines £320,009. He estimated the working and maintenance of the cable at'£2l.soo. and the - land line *t £fl$?,000, with a set-off ol certain existing expenses amounting to £22.000. , Tt was. estimated that fch® Board. wHnld have an immediate revenue of £30,000. in addition to new fewainega. I The "All Red" lin« vr«B feasible, and j j.Tfytild be to require special financial | assistance from the {governments. j PROPOSAL ©ISCUBSED. j ' &ir Wilfrid Laurier said that after 1 the Ho». Herbert Samuel's statement; in connection with the previous resoiH+inn. he preferred to reserve his on the present proposal. ■ Si'- Joseph Wjird,.was strongly of the opinion that the nationalisation of the was the right course to pursue. Mr Snmuel's proposals were important, but the rates were only placed in a satisfactorv basis through Government on-nership. The nationalisation of the linn was of greater importance, from an'imperial point of view, than