CABLE RATES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2560, 22 July 1909, Page 5

CABLE RATES.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S NOTIFICATION.

WILL CONCEDE CHEAPER PRESS' RATES.

United Press Association —Copyright

MELBOURNE, July 21

The Federal Government has formally notified the Eastern Extension and other associated cable companies of its willingness to concede cheaper press rates. The Postmaster-General states that no reply will be made regarding the Eastern Extension group’s proposed reduction until the Government hears from the Pacific Cable Board. Whatever concession would be granted on one cable would be granted on the other.

AUSTRALIAN PRESS MESSAGES. REFERENCES IN THE FEDERAL SENATE. (Received July 21, 11.20 ji.m.) MELBOURNE, July 21. Senator Pearce asked in the Federal Senate whether the Government had agreed to a reduction in the land charges on press cables, and whether the daily press, to which the concession was made, had given a guarantee to have all messages sent over the Pacific and not over the Eastern Extension line. He asked if ,jt was not a fact that messages were now despatched over the latter. Seeing that the daily press had a monopoly, he asked, would the Government see that, in any agreement, country newspapers, which were customers of .a syndicate, would also receive concessions.

Senator Pearce was asked to give notice of his questions. In reference to a recent statement in a business circular that press cables were obtained through one channel only, which, in restraint of trade, forbids papers to receive or publish independent cables, the Attorney-General saicl that the statement did not allege facts which, if proved, would justify a prosecution, but if there were facts, available from any source, calling for inquiry, full consideration would be given to them.