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CABLE SERVICES. IMPERIAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS, LTD. : TAKING OVER OF COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS. In terms of the agreement reached on the subject, the transfer to the Imperial and Internationa] Communications, Ltd., of the services of the Eastern and Associated Companies and the Marconi Wireless-telegraph Co., the Pacific Cable Board system, including the West Indian cable and wireless system worked by the Board, the Imperial and Trans-Atlantic cables, and the beam radio-electric stations which carry out the " Empiradio " services by wireless with Australia, Canada, India, and South Africa, was completed on the 30th September, 1929. IMPERIAL COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. In accordance with the recommendations of the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference, a committee has been set up to act in an advisory capacity in regard to telegraph communications. This body, which is styled " The Imperial Communications Advisory Committee," is concerned with the policy of the new Imperial and International Communications Co., and, in particular, is charged with the responsibility in regard to the institution of new services, the discontinuance of existing services, alterations in rates, and distribution of traffic between alternative routes. Fifty per cent, of all net revenue in excess of a sum fixed by agreement as a standard revenue accruing to the Imperial and International Communications Co. is to be devoted to a reduction of rates and such other purposes as the Advisory Committee may approve. The following appointments to the Advisory Committee have been made : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Colonel Sir Courtauld Thomson, K.8.E., C.B. ; Canada, Sir Campbell Stuart, K.B.E. ; Commonwealth of Australia, Mr. Clive L. Baillieu, C.M.G., 0.8. E.; New Zealand, Mr. M. B. Esson; Union of South Africa, Lieut.-Colonel E. A. Sturman, C.B.E. ; Irish Free State, Mr. T. J. Kiernan ; India, Sir Atul Chatterjee, K.C.I.E. ; colonies and protectorates, Sir Edward Davson, Baronet. DAILY LETTER-TELEGRAM SERVICE: EXTENSION TO SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, BELGIUM, LUXEMBURG, FRANCE, ALGERIA, AND TUNIS. The daily letter-telegram service has been extended to the undermentioned countries at the following rates :— From the Ist June, 1929, to Switzerland, at 9|d. per word, with a minimum charge of 15s. lOd. for twenty words. From the 22nd July, 1929, to Austria, at 9d. per word, with a minimum charge of 15s. for twenty words. From the Ist April, 1930, to Czechoslovakia, at 10Jd. per word, with a minimum charge of 17s. 6d. for twenty words. From the Ist March, 1930, to Belgium and Luxemburg, at 9d. per word, with a minimum charge of 15s. for twenty words. From the Ist December, 1929, to France, Algeria, and Tunis, at 9fd. per word, with a minimum charge of 15s. lOd. for twenty words to France, and at 10|d. per word, with a minimum charge of 17s. 6d. for twenty words, to Algeria and Tunis. WEEK-END LETTER-TELEGRAM SERVICE : EXTENSION TO SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, BELGIUM, AND LUXEMBURG. The week-end letter-telegram service has been extended to the undermentioned countries at the following rates : — From the Ist June, 1929, to Switzerland, at Bd. per word, with a minimum charge of 13s. Id. for twenty words. From the 14th August, 1929, to Austria, via Eastern London-Marconi, at Bd. per word, with a minimum charge of 13s. 4d. for twenty words. From the Ist April, 1930, to Czechoslovakia, at 9d. per word, with a minimum charge of 15s. for twenty words. From the Ist March, 1930, to Belgium and Luxemburg, at 7|d. per word, with a minimum charge of 12s. 6d. for twenty words. CABLE TRAFFIC. The number of cable messages, excluding Press, sent from New Zealand to international offices shows an increase of 7-22 per cent, on the number sent during 1928-29, and the number sent to Australian offices shows an increase of 1-73 per cent. Messages received from international offices increased by 4-39 per cent., and messages from Australia increased by 2-48 per cent. The proportion of cable messages sent " via Pacific " was less than that sent by the same route during the previous year, the percentages being 63-49 and 66-5 respectively.