PACIFIC CABLE BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 19521, 31 March 1927, Page 5

PACIFIC CABLE BOARD

BILL BEFORE COMMONS SECOND READING PASSED. Piess Association —By Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, March 30. (Received March 31, at 9.35 a.m.) In the House of Commons Mr L. S. Amery moved the second reading of the Pacific Cable Board Dill. He said that a satisfactory agreement permitted the partner Governments to reap the fruits of long efforts and sacrifices, and to distribute some of the profits among the partners; but he emphasised that the ideal was service to Empire business people, nonprofits. Mr Sidney Webb gave Labor's blessing remarking that if he had introduced the BUI it would have been called a gross piece of Socialism. Mr D. Kirkwood and Mr. J. Maxton assailed the salary of £I,OOO for the chairman. Mr Amery said that the salary must be such as to command an active and able chairman. The Bill was read a second time. [ A message received on March 17 stated;—A Bill has been circulated, sponsored by Mr Ronald M'Neili and Mr L. S. Amery, to amend the Pacific Cable Acts of 1901 and , 1924. The measure embodies the provisions of the Imperial Conference agreement, and additionally permits elasticity in the amount to be annually paid to the reserve fund. It also empowers the board, with the approval of the partners, to undertake tor the Governments of any of the dominions any cable or wireless services within the sphere of operation of the Caribbean Sea, amd also, if necessary, to provide a news service for the West Indies similar to that given by the telegraph companies at the commencement of the 1924 Act. The new measure will operate on April !•]