THE CABLE SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2651, 5 November 1909, Page 5

THE CABLE SERVICE.

THE QUESTION OF RATES

Unitjsd Press Association —Copyright MELBOURNE, Nov. 4.

The Senate decided that the Select Committee on the Press cable service should bring up a report by November 24.

Replying to a question in the House of Representatives . the PostmasterGeneral states that the penny a word cable suggested by Mr Henniker Heaton does not appear to be practicable. The most immediate prospect of reduction was to a minimum of 8d a word for deferred cable messages and a shilling a word for such messages in plain language. The scheme of bridging Australia and Britain by wireless stages was considered to be an engineering possibility, but whether it would he an efficient substitute for a cable was open to grave doubt.

REUTER’S AND THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

(Received November 4, 10.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 4. The Press Cable Service Committee examined Mr. Collins, manager of Reuter’s Telegraph Company, who deposed that his company had a reciprocal arrangement with the Press Association since 1891, nnder which all foreign telegrams .were placed, at the disposal of the Press Association in London, Reuter’s in return receiving a copy of the Association press messages sent to Australia. The company could sell cables here to any paper or association outside metropolitan areas, and there was no limit to the subscription chargeable. The income from such sales was divided equally with the Association. Though there was no

legal restriction against selling to '■ metropolitan papers, there was a business restriction, and supplying cables to- .projected papers -would be refused on business grounds. Asked if the restriction against supplying metropolitan papers was no limitation on competition, Mr. Collins said that the Association and his company occupied two spheres. The company supplied the country papers, and' the Association the metropolitan papers. Dealing with cheaper cables, he said that if-the charge was’reduced to. 6d;iCword; there would he danger that a lot .of. smaller, items would be sent through.:, -F.epple did not. want much more in the way .of.cables,. A few might, biit.;iiivge.neral people .did not, though 6d ;a. ; word would be a reasonable charge.