PRESS CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 271, 10 August 1920, Page 5

PRESS CONFERENCE

NECESSITY FOR CHEAPER CABLE SERVICES DUPLICATION OP PACIFIC LINE URGED (By Telegraph-Press Association-OoDyrlitW Ottawa, August 7. The Press Conference passed a resolution, moved on behalf of the British delegates, affirming tho necessity for better, quicker, and cheaper facilities for dm6eminating news by cable, wireless, and other methods throughout the Empire, and recommending the Governments of Great Britain, the Domiuions, and India to increase tho communications and m. duco the rates by means of subsidin» to the companies. Mr. Robert Donald, tho mover, read a message from tint Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, stating that ,£4,500,000 was being expended on now cables, and that tho company did not at present intend to reduce its rates. Sir James Fairfax, on behalf of the Australian delegation, moved a similar resolution, oxcept that, it restricted Government assistance to the provision of cheaper and increased cable communication. Mr. Denison, of Sydney, in seconding this motion, stated that tho Australian newspapers spent ,£IOO,OOO per annum, and they now exceeded .£500,000, and the reduction* nrovo overdue. Ho urged, as a first step, tho duplication of the Pacific cable. Mr, Fink (Melbourne) urged tho adoption of "a-penny-a-word cablegrams throughout the Empire" as tho conference's slogan, and on Mr. Donald's motion ths confer, once agreed to incorporate the penny-a-word ideal in its resolution. The discussion was adjourned.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn,