CABLE DELAYS

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 141, 17 June 1919, Page 7

CABLE DELAYS

HAMPERING DOMINION

TRADE

ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN A REMEDY

" USE OF CODES URGED.

A deputation under the auspices of the Associated Chambers of Commerce waited upon the Postmaster-General (Hon. W. D. S. MacDonaM) to-day to urge that something should be done to reduce the delay now occurring in the transmission of commercial cables. Mr. MaeDon&ld, in his reply, held out little hope of immediate improvement, but promised that, the Government would continue the efforts it had been making for some time past to remove the causes of delay. ' ■

■ In the unavoidable absence of the president and vice-president, Mr. H. D. Vickery, secretary. of the Associated! Chambers, placed the case before the Minister. The cable delay, he said, was most adversely affecting the commercial community. Nowadays the great bulk of New Zealand business was done by cable. Many of our commodities were subject to rapid fluctuations on the Home and American markets (lie, did not. refer to commandeered produce), and this meant that no business was done when it took seven or eight days for a cable to reach England, and twelve days or even twenty-four, days . for a cablo to come out. In the' import trade a similar advea-se effect was experienced. Firms tendering for local bodies' supplies had lost the business, because the cables^ from .their principals in England had been too late in coming out. This had been the case for the last nine months. Now they wished to know if there was anything that could be done—any restrictions that could be removed.

The Minister : We have no control at this end. This does not apply1 only to the Dominion. It is world-wide. Every other country is in exactly',the same position. .

Mr. Vickery asked if-some relief could not be given by the use of cable codes, or by cutting out some of the unimportant press messages. They knew it was nothing to do with the authorities at this end, but they hoped that the Govern-, ment could make representations which would result in an alteration of the present state.

Mr. C. M. Luke pointed out the importance of maintaining the trade and commerce of the Dominion, and removing any disability which hampered it. Mr. J. T, Martin said that business was seriously affected, as offers from America and Great Britain could not be kept open because of cable delays. One solution would be - that they should be allowed to. use private codes as soon as possible. ' .. • ■ The -Minister: That is what we are going to do as soon as possible. When you get the Germans to sign that piece of paper it will be done. '

Mr. Martin said he did not know to what extent the Government used the cables. Commercial firms were obliged to reduce their cables, and if the Government would do the same it would be a help.

' Mr. Jackson said that if they could •get-cables at treble urgent rates from England, as they could previously, and as they were sent now from. America and New Zealand, it would reduce the delay in important' matters.

k Mr. Arlow suggested that, commercial cables should be accepted as treble urgent at ordinary rates.

Mr. T. Mackay (Auckland) stated that the same difficulties were being experienced in Auckland. New Zealand wanted to see that it was getting a fair share of the cables.

Mr. Jolly emphasised the importance of a quicker service to the banks. The use of code's would enable messages to be cut down by three-quarters.

. Mr. Goldfinch said business in. the hemp export trade was practically at a, standstill owing to cable delays; and this meant that the trads was going to sisal and manila.' ' MINISTER'S REPLY The Minister said that he (as Post-master-General) and the Government had been in constant communication with Great Britain, and with the managers of the cable companies, pointing out the serious position of business in this country. Practically all the cables were concentrated on the Pacific route, and it was felt that everything was being done that could bo done until some of the cables nearer Britain were restored.

■ ' 'Owing to the interruption to the cables, which, imder noiinal conditions, carry the traffic between Great Bvitain, India, and the East," continued the Minister, "such traffic has had to be diverted to the Australian and, New Zealantf route via Capetown and Durban. This interruption also affects the Eastern cable route from Port Darwin, Australia. This leaves the Pacific cable route only for traffic, to New Zealand. For some months past the Eastern Extension Company has been compelled to refuse the acceptance of fully-paid traffic from Great Britain for this Dominion, but has been accepting traffic at the .deferred rate subject to vheavy delay. The burden placed upon the Pacific route has caused a heavy ■blockage of" cables to accumulate at Bamfiekl, the Vancouver end of the cable. This is unavoidable, as the traffic is in excess of tho capacity of tho cable, although work is carried on without intermission day and' night. It was hoped that with the restoration; of some of the cables near England tho burden upon tho Pacific route would 'have been considerably lightened, but with the break in the cable'route to India the- position remained practically - unaltered. The restoration of the commercial Pacific cable between San Francisco and Hawaii does not affect our traffic. It woujd relievo the route to India and the East of Ame.riean, traffic to those places; but - the volume would probably not be. great. The Post and Telegraph Department has been in constant touch, with the Pacific Cable Board's and. the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's representatives, and it may safely be accepted that everything possible has been done to relieve the position.

GOVERNMENT AND PRESS WORK.

"It has been said that the Government and press work seriously delay commercial cables. Some time ago the British Government i#• J instructions to all its Departments "mat the cables were to be used only for the most urgent and important work, and all messages were to be cut down to a minimum. The Government traffic from Now Zealand homewards is also confined to matters of urgency. It should be noted that the time of transmission of full rate commercial traffic to Great Britain is twenty-four hours ; With regard to the press: it would 'probably bo noticed that a very large portion of published telegrams show a very long delay. The few items that are up-to-date have reference to matters of special public interest, and I am assured no undue preference is given to the transmission of press matter. The' Post and Telegraph Department has been in /frequent communication with the Pacific Cable Board and the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company regarding the delay on cable traffic, and would point out that thy

actual cause is due to circumstances over which tha Department has no control."

The latest report from the manager of the Pacific Cable Board, dated 16th June, stated : —"The traffic delay from the United Kingdom and America, is now four to five days. Anticipate this will be substantially reduced; by Wednesday, having regard to week-end opportunities. The Canadian returns, dated Saturday, show 2300 messages on hand, in addition to 10,000 words Government and press. The homeward direction continues free from congestion. Our heat! office, London, is kept posted daily in regard to the situation. The Eastern route is still not accepting full rate traffic for 'Australasia. In Australian direction traffic shown to be passing over Pacific cable at rate of 640 words per hour. This is above the estimated carrying capacity of Ihe cable. The situation is built up by the Pacific Cable Board carrying the whole t>i the Australasian traffic, including Government business. The condition can only be satisfactorily met when the Eastern are able to give normal assistance." He would be quite prepared to look into the question of treble rates, and also of codes. Representations had been made again and again regarding codes, and, personally, he did not think there would be any relief in that direction until peace had been signed. The New Zealand Government did not control the censorship of cables, and had tdi carry out absolutely the instructions of the Imperial Government. The treble rate had been stopped by the Imperial Government so that nobody might gain an undue advantage.

An officer of the Telegraph Department explained, with a cable map, the causes of the delay. ■ The greater part of the business was concentrated, he showed, on the Pacific route, ac the Eastern Extension had a free line only as far as Capetown, and then had to take its turn on the line over which alt the business for India went. On this line there was at present great delay, as other routes were stopped, Mr. Martin asked if codes could not be accepted with a censorship at both ends. - ,

The Minister said he.would do all he could, but it must be remembered that the 'war was not over everywhere, and with warships, and transports btill being moved the Imperial Government could not be expected to take any risks.