THE CABLE QUESTION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 258, 12 March 1898, Page 4

THE CABLE QUESTION.

In view of the great inconvcuiencc that Ins arisen lately in consequent of the repeated break downs of the overland cable iu Australia, the South Australian Government ha 6 resolved to remedy matters so much as lay in their power. They have decided to duplicate the cable along the whole route,, the line to be worked on the duplex principle. A deputation from the Sydney Chamber of Commerce waited on the Post-master-General to urce the necessity cf laying the Pacific Cable. The chairman poiuted out that no alternative cable route could serve the eastern colonies and New Zealaud so well as the Pacific. The Postmaster General, in reply, said he did not think South Australia's proposal would make much difference, because the duplicate line would ran on the same posts, so that when the poles went down, both the lines would go with them. The Eastern Extension Telpgnph Company also proposed to lay the special cable to Glcnelg at a cost of £200,000, but required a renewal of tie agncment which was about to expire, tor 20 years, but said nothing about reducing the rates. As business had doubled in the last five years, a monopoly for the next 20 years would evidemly be a mo3t valuable cooces-iou. lie was totally against the proposals that the colonies should guaiantee the company that the Australian business should not fall below ±'227,000 annually, as last year it was no less than £270,000. Under the circumstances he thought the annual sub-, sidy paid by the colours should be aholished. With regard to the Pacific cable he was entirely in favour of the proposal, because he believed the business of the colonics warranted an additional service. Until the result of tin Commission sitting in London was made known, the Government could take no action.