CHEAP PRESS MESSAGES
PROTESTS AGAINST MONOPOLY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, July 21. In the Senate Mr Pearce asked whether the Government had agreed to a reduction in the Jand charges on Press cablegrams, and whether the daily Press to which the concession had been made had given a guarantee to have all messages sent over the Pacific and not over the Eastern Extension route. He asked if it was not a fact that messages were now despatched over the latter route. Seeing that the daily Tress had a monopoly, ho asked would the Government see that in any agreement the country newspapers which were the customers of the syndicate would also receive concessions.
Mr Pearce was asked to give notice of his questions.
With reference to a recent statement in a business circular that Press cablegrams were obtained through one channel only, and one which, in restraint of trade, ioibade a paper to receive and publish independent cables, tho Attorney-General said thestatement did not allege facts which, if proved, would justify a prosecution, but if there were facts available from any source calling for inquiry, full consideration would be given to the ir.atteT.
•discussion AT THE CONFERENCE. STATE v. PRIVATE OWNERSHIP.
PERTH, July 21. News by the mail steamer shows that a motion by Mr Ross (Canada) at the Press Conference for acquiring a State-owned cable between Canada and Great Britain was opposed by Mr Cimnjn.ham (Melbourne 'Argus') and by Mr Ward (Sydney ' Daily Telegraph'). Mr Ward thought it very desirable that the Conference should be unanimous, and ho asked if Mr Ross would amend his motion restricting its application to wireless telegraphy. They already had one State-owned cable across the Pacific, and financially it had been a disappointment. He said that with regret, because he had always been a supporter of that csble; but in view of its financial results he could not vote for an extension of the State-owned idea. Mr Ross declined to accept the suggestion. Mr Cunningham 6aid he wished to make clear tho attitude taken up by himself and some of his fellow-Australian delegates They could not vote for the motion because it aimed at the establishment of Government cables without compensation to the owners of the existing cables, and such action would be practically confiscation. A cable supported by the long purse of the Government might lead to the destruction of the existing cable companies. There was a principle at stake, and in view of that end some of his fellow-dele-gates would not vote for the motion. Mr Stanley Reed (India) said he was surprised at this opposition to State-owned cables from the Australian delegates, in view of the fact that Australia enjoyed cheaper cable rates, and that because of a State-owned cable. Mr Cunningham : Wo should have had them cheaper without the Pacific cable. The motion was agreed to without dissent, although several of the Australian delegates did not vote. COMPANIES AGREE TO THE REDUCTION. A PLEA FOR THE PACIFIC. MELBOURNE, July 22. (Received July 22, at 10.45 a.m.) The Postmaster-General has received a reply from the Pacific Cable Board agreeing to a reduction in Press cablegrame from Is to 9d a word from August 1. The request to the Eastern Extension Company for a similar reduction will be agreed to. Referring to the reduction, the Post-master-General said it would be base ingratitude :f the newspapers did not now support tho Pacific Cable Company. Had it not been for the Pacific cable its users would not have gained the concessions they now enjoy. Surely the Pacific Company must get some of the increased business which must come from the reductions. If not, where was the encouragement for the Board to make further concessions? He did not think the Pacific Company's claims to public support had been adequately recognised, seeing that the annual deficiency was so great. He added: "We do not wish induly to compete with ot-itv cables, or :n any way unduly to press the claims of the Pacific, but we certainly want a fair share of the business. The Pacific line is entitled to this from a patriotic stand point." WHAT THE PAPERS SAY. NO BARGAIN MADE. MELBOURNE, July 22. (Received July 22. at 12.20 p.m.) The Postmaster-General says that before agreeing to the cable concessions ho communicated with the representatives of the Australian Press Association. He brought tho proposal i.nder their attention, and expressed the hope that if the concession were granted and the rates reduced the Pacific Cable Company would have a share in the increased business. No bargain was made, nor was any explicit assurance given on the subject. It was merely stated"that if the reduction were made the Association would of course have to consider whether it would be able to use the Pacific cable to advantage.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 14118, 22 July 1909, Page 6
Word Count
800CHEAP PRESS MESSAGES Evening Star, Issue 14118, 22 July 1909, Page 6
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