PACIFIC CABLE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 72, 18 December 1926, Page 11

PACIFIC CABLE

CONCESSIONS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REDUCTION OF TERMINAL CHARGES Melbourne, December 17. The superintendent of the Pacific Cable Board stated that it had been found necessary to relay 180 miles of cable recently laid near Suva. One of the splices had not come up to requirements. The steamer Faraday has been dispatched from Svdney to Suva to relav the section. Work on the cable will not be interrupted. Speaking at the function to commemorate the duplication of the Pacific cable the Postmaster-General (Mr. W. G. Gibson) said that the Federal Government was prepared to _grant concessions which would cost £75.000 a vear. It was prepared to reduce its" terminal charges from -Id. to 2d. per word. He said that the terminal charge on Press messages was Id. a word. The Press now enioyed a cheaper rate than in any other part of the world. He did not think they could look to a greater reduction. TARIFFS DISCUSSED IN LONDON EFFECT OF WIRELESS COMPETITION (Rec. December 17, 8.10 p.m.) London, December 16. The proposals of the Pacific Cable Board for a reduction of rates are being most keenlv. discussed; especially in relation to the tariffs of other companies and the bearing of wireless competition. It is alrendv evident that the quick transit of deferred Press over the Canadian beam service has made the came companies eager to retain the business, for which the multiplicity of lines across the Atlantic is now apparently more U'.ni sufficient for the traffic offering. The fact that the Imperial Government’s Atlantic line is the slowest of the lot is regarded as something .of a case for a reduction of rates over its section of the AH Red route. The Eastern Company states that it lias not considered a reduction of tariff at present, but is awaiting developments. AN ERRONEOUS MESSAGE The. New Zealand manager of the Pacific Cable Board states that the cable message from ATelbon-rne regarding the relaving of ISO miles of cable at Suva, which had not come up to renuired standard is utterly misleading and erroneous. He contradicts the statements absolutely, and adds that the cable is in use for traffic and working at its full speed. EXPLANATION OF SUPERINTENDENT (Rec. December 17, 9.15 p.m ) Sydney, December 17. Mr. Bain, general superintendent ol the Pacific cable, emphatically contradicts the statement published in the Press that the steamer Faraday is proceeding to Suva to relav a section of cable owing to a defective splice. lie adds that there is no such situation, but an intermittent stoppage of continuity of the cable core Jias revealed itself since the completion of the cable. This lias since ceased, and the cable is-being operated at full capacity, mid is showing normal electr.ical com ditions under test. The. necessity of removing, this fault is, being discussed with the contractors in London, and meanwhile the Faradav has been ordered to Suva to be in readiness, should it be decided to cut out the fault\ portion. The point of the fault is IM miles from Fanning Island, and the repair will be a simple matter once the ship is on the ground.