CABLE RATES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2562, 24 July 1909, Page 5

CABLE RATES.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S

STATEMENT,

THE DISCUSSION AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. United Press Association —Copyright. MELBOURNE, July 23. The Postmaster-General states that he has deferred dealing with the cable system proposal, which is still under consideration by the Pacific Cable Board. The Government is ‘awaiting a reply. Ho added that if the expectations of those who made the propasals were realised the system might be greatly beneficial. At the same time it might result in a loss of revenue. PERTH, July 22.

News by the mail steamer states that the motion by Mr Ross, of Canada, at the Press Conference, for acquiring a State-owned cable between Canada and Britain was opposed by Mr Cunningham, of tho Melbourne “Argus,” and Mr. Ward, of the “Daily Telegraph.” The latter thought it very desirable the conference should bo . unanimous, and -asked would Mr. Ross amend the motion by restricting its application to wireless telegraphy. They already had one State-owned cable across the Pacific. Financially it had been a disappointment. He said that with regret, because he had always been a supporter of that cable, but in view of its financial results he could not vote for an extension of the State-owned idea.

Mr. Ross declined to accept the suggestion. Mr Cunningham said he wished to make clear the attitude of himself and §ome fellow Australian delegates. They could not vote for the motion because it aimed at establishing Government cablet without compensating tho owners of the existing cables, and such action would be practically confiscation of the cable supported by the long purse of the Government, and might lead to the destruction of the existing cable companies. There was a principle at stake, and in viow of that some of his fellow delegates would not vote for that motion.

Mr. Stanley Reed, of India, was surprised at this opposition to' State-owned cables from the Australian delegates, in view of the fact that Australia enjoyed cheaper cables, and that because of State-owned cables. >

Mr Cunningham: We' should have had them cheaper without the Pacific cable.

The motion was agreed to without dissent, although several Australian delegates did not vote.