THE PACIFIC CABLE.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 37, 12 August 1905, Page 5

THE PACIFIC CABLE.

REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE. [rHESS ASSOCIATION^ LONDON, 11th August. The minutes of the Pacific Cable Conference's report have been signed by Mr. Lyttelton, Lord Jersey, Sir William Mulock, and Sir Sandford Fleming. In addition to the brief statement cabled a few days ago — recommending that unless some satisfactory arrangement be promptly arrived at the Pacific Gable- BoaTd oe authorised to engage- hi active competition with the Eastern Extension Company — the report declares that the members of the Conference, remembering that the Pacific cable was initiated largely to promote Imperial unity, have endeavoured to remove all sources of friction between the partners, and have sought to adjuist existing difficulties in a spirit of reasonable compromise. The Conference earnestly trusts that the Commonwealth agreement of 1903 will not be ratified unless clause 25 is amended to read :—": — " The agreement remains in force until 31st October, 1913, and no longer." Thus the partners will then be restored to the position prtce dent to the New South Wales agreement. It is considered that t"be Board should be allowed discretion to negotiate an amicable arrangement with ths Eastern Extension Company, subject to the approval of the Governments interested, and the adoption of the amendment mentioned. The report concludes : " With a lew to teh maintenance of cordial and friendly relations, any future question •concerning tsrininal 'rates, Customs duties, or proposed concessions or privileges ito any cable or telegraph company, or other matt-era affecting the interests of the cable, should be 1 referred ■by .the Board to the Governments concerned for consideration before final action k. taken." A majority of the signatories express the hope i'lat the Commonwealth will reduce the terminal rate. .