DETAILS OF THE DISCUSSION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14072, 17 June 1911, Page 9

DETAILS OF THE DISCUSSION.

(Received Juno JGth, 9.5 p.m.)

LONDON, Juno IG. Sir Joseph Ward, in moving his motion in favour of a reduction of cable rates, said that much had beott accomplished, but cheapening hud not gone far enough. Postal experience showed that the reduction of charges to a point securing for the public freer use of tho services produced more profitable working. There* was, oversea, a feeling that present rates were due to a ring in tho cable world. He hoped that the Conference would effect some improvement in the direction of more general use of cables.

Mr Samuel sympathised with, and supported, the resolution. Since the last Conference, he said, Pros? rates had been reduced, but it was agreed ! that the progress mado was not adequate, and stpps were being taken to secure the chenrcTjinc: of rates in several directions. Firstly, he hoped for a 50 per cent, reduotion on deferred cables; eecendJy, a further reduction of ! the Press rnte; thirdly, the GovernI ment intended to insert a clause in S the new landing licenses, giving them control ovpr the rates, bnt providing for security to the comnanies against abuse of that power by allowing appeals to bu mado to tho Railway arid I Canal Commission; fourthly, by developing wireless telegraphy, whicli would have some effect on cable rates. He assured tho Conference thafthn. passing of tho resolution would bo fcllowcd by effective achievements. Sir Wilfrid Laurier declared that all tho trouble existing at present was duo to tho Atlantic cables. Thero was an impression in Canada, ahnost amounting to conviction, that a combine existed. However, Mr Samuel's suggestion would deal with any such combination. Mr Fisher said that -the increased facilities of reduced rates appealed principally to Australia and New Zealand, because they wero dependent on cables for European and American information. He asked whether it would bo feasible to grant a low rate over tho Pacific cable for news cabled from Australia to Montreal, whence it could bo posted to Britain. Mr Pearco asked whether the Post-master-General had any information with regard to the refusal of tho Treasury to sanction tho construction of a new cable from New Zealand to Australia by tho Pacific Cable Board, on the ground that it would interfere with the development of wireless telegraphy. Mr Samuel agreed to inform the Exchequer that it was tho strong desire of Australia and New Zealand to have the Cable Board authorised., as far as Britain's consent was concerned, to lay a second cab'e. Mr Asquith also promised considcra*tion of the matter. The resolution was then adopted.