THE PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 26, 31 July 1899, Page 5

THE PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME.

CANADA'S COMMUNICATION WITH THE ORIENT. [rasas association.] Ottawa, 20lb July. The Hon. W. Mulook, PostmasterGoneral, speaking in the Dominion House of CommonH with reference to tho Pacific cable, said thnt a few weeks ago tho country was startled by'the information that Great Britain had given a monopoly to the E:it*tern Extension Telegraph Company ho that no other cablo company could land at Hongkong within twoiity-five years after 18U8. " I see nothing in that agreement," added Mr. Mtilock, " to cause us to doubt for a moment that we shall establish communiralion with the Orient when we establish connection with Australia. That agreement provides that the Imperial Government can purchase the second cablo constructed between Singapore and Hongkong for £300,000. Once tho English Government acquires that cable there remains only the connecting link between the mainland and Australasia to establish direct cable communication between Canada, China, and Japan. It would be ini'oiionivablo, if Caimda and Australasia have united themselves by cablo, punioulnrly in view of the fact that tlio colonies of Australasia own tho telegraph lines across that continent, that anything or anybody will prevent us from forcing our way into China and Jnpan. JNor would it bo necessary, even if Great Brituiu did not exercise the power of pre-emption over the cable between Singapore and Hongkong, to resort to that, because the Eastern Extension Telegraph Com puny, which owns that line, would reeognij-e tho irresistible force of the Empire to give fair rates, i,hus making a duplication of tho line unnecessary. Unless the increase of busi. ness should muko such a slop advisable, therefore, tho proposition now submitted, though it nominally provides for communication only between Canada and Australasia, practically completes the cable communication botween Canada, China, and Japan. If soj it is for us to contemplato the usefulness of such a development to Canadian trade." Mr. Mulook also pointed out that it was Canada's paramount interest to cultivate trade with the four hundred million inhabitants of China and Japan, towards which she had already accomplished so much by steamship connection. In proof of his assertion that no great burden would be imposed upon Canada, he quoted Sir Saudford Fleming's estimate that the first year's operations of tho cable would yield a surplus of £114,000, and the fourth year's one of £24!),000. Uowover, whether there was a profit or a loss, Canada was only involved to the extent of five-eighteenths, whilo the trade between Canada and Australasia would be largely improved. Last yetir an increase accrued despite the prohibitory cable rates, an ordinary message really costing 6Odola by tho present roundabout route. Sir Charles Tupper heartily congratulated Mr. Mulock for his very luoid speech.