EMPIRE TRADE COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 8 March 1913, Page 11

EMPIRE TRADE COMMISSION.

REDUCED CABLE CHARGES.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Friday.

The Empire Trade Commission con tinned the taking of evidence this afternoon. '

Mr. W. 11. Morris, Secretary of the Post Office, recounted the history of the reductions in cable charges. Despite a drop from 10/6 to 3/ per word, the earnings had not fallen off. In 1911-12 the loss on the Pacific cable was £40,408, of which New Zealand paid £4.500. ' With the steady growth of traffic the time would come when the loss would be wiped out. The Pacific cable could carry seven million words per annum, but at present only took two millions. Proposals had been made by which the charge could be cut down to 2/8 per word. He believed it possible that even if the charge were reduced to 6d., the increased use of the cables would result in the service being efficiently conducted without loss.

The Commissioners will be taken to Levin to-morrow, and will visit the Weraroa State Farm. Some of the members will visit Taranaki on Tuesday, in order to inspect farming and other industries.