CABLE SERVICE TO N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22392, 4 May 1938, Page 12

CABLE SERVICE TO N.Z.

DEPENDENCE ON LINE THROUGH AUCKLAND CONCERN OP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (?RESS association telbgbak.) WELLINGTON, May 3. A statement that cable messages two and from Wellington were sometimes delayed because they had to go through Auckland, there being no direct cable connexion with Australia, was made by Captain S. Holm at a meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to-night. Letters were received from Mr Wilshaw, chairman of Cable Wireless Ltd., London, and Mr W.*. Huffier ford manager of the Auckland branch S the Pacific Cable Board, referring to the inauguration on April zs 01 the reductions in overseas telegraph charges under the new Empire flat rate motion of Captain Holm, it was decided to reply expressing appreciation of the reductions, but pointing out the disability from which the southern part of the. Dominion sometimes suffered. An (amendment by Mr M. G. C »c Caul, that the latter part of the resolution be omitted, found no support. Several years ago, said Captam Holm, the Post and Telegraph Department had stated that the Idea was to concentrate the service between New Zealand and Australia on the Auckland cable and keep the old Wellington cable for use in emergencies. Only later, however, when an emergency arose, was it found that 500 miles of the Wellington cable had been lifted to repair, supposedly, the new Auckland cable. "I think that they put one over us—in fact, that has been admitted by the authorities—and I don't see any harm in reminding them," he said. "It there were any major catastrophe in the middle of the North Island the southern part would be absolutely cut oft* from communication with the rest of the world."

New Cable' Surfeited Mr J. Madden said that a large portion of the Wellington cable had been utterly useless. Any parts of value had been recovered, but he did not know Wfiat use had been made of them. The use of radio, he thought, largely overcame any danger of a part of the Dominion being cut off from communication with the outside world. If there were a direct cable between Wellington and Sydney, Mr A. L. Wall said, inward transmissions to other parts of the Dominion would be radiated, instead of having to go Ove? one channel from Australia to all southern towns. Congestion and delay would thus be avoided. "Where does the remedy lie?" asked the president (Mr P. E. Pattrick). "It seems to me that our course would be to remind the department that Wellington is the central point of radiation and ask that when further cables are laid Wellington's claims should be considered."

"The cost of laying a new cable between Wellington and Sydney would be enormous," Mr Madden said. "The authorities have, given a great amount of money awdy in reduced charges, and it seems rather a nasty knock now to question the quality of the service." Another member suggested that the secretary should make his representations "as temperate as possible," and this was agreed to.