CABLE CODE WORDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 218, 8 June 1908, Page 7

CABLE CODE WORDS.

TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE. THE USE OF UNPRONOUNCEABLES. BOARD OF CONTROL. BT TELE GRAPH —PREfiB ASSOCIATION—COFTMGin. Lisbon, June 5. The International Telegraph Conference at Lisbon sanctioned a slight reduction in telegraphic charges botween Great Britain and Europe. Great Britain proposed to reduce tho terminal and transit rates ion extra European telegrams to tho level of European rates. Germany and Italy strongly opposed this, whilo tho cable companies were also prepared (? unprepared) at present to mako a corresponding reduction. ~ • Tho. proposal was withdrawn. EXISTING RULES MAINTAINED. CLEARER DEFINITION. ' (Rec. June 7, 4.15 p.mO Lisbon, June 6. In deference to protests from tho whole of tho British Empire, the Postal Conference at Lisbon decided to maintain 1 the existing rules regulating the selection of words', in the compilation of <!ommercial codes; but the conditions with respect to tho pronouriceability of words will bo more clearly defined. Arrangements will be made optionally to present codes to a board of . control consisting of representatives of Britain, France, and Germany, with a view, to ascertaining whether tho codes presented fulfil the conditions imposed by tho second paragraph of Clause 8. It was emphasised by some of the British delegates that codes not presented for approval, equally with thoso not approved, should romain in force, but that each administration be entitled to accent or reject any words. '■ ' . ' i, LOSS OF TIME AND REVENUE. \

The position is that the cable companies, contrary to the wish of commercial men. generaly, proposed to. restrict the use of the unpronounceable words which' are commonly used in code messages, and which, the cable companies say, cause them loss of time' in transmission and loss of revenue. The London Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, protested against any modification of the regulations applicable to code words, urging rather the removal of all restrictions regarding unpronounceable words 'so long as they do not exceed ten letters. Telegraphists say that, unpronounceable' words delay the work and cause errors. On the other hand, it is argued by commercial men that, if the coble companies increased the _restrictions, . and thereby the cost of' cabling, thoir own receipts would' suffer through decrease of business. The conference seems to have arrived at a compromise, .'based on the discretionary ,powers of the board of control.