EMPIRE OUTPOSTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 239, 23 September 1914, Page 5

EMPIRE OUTPOSTS.

FANNING ISLAND. CABLE TO BE RESTORED. Auckland. Sept. 22. Preparations have Been made by Mr. Milward for the restoration of the Pacific cable service that will enable the wdrk to be undertaken. He has no explanation of the cause of the interruption. Mr. Milward has based his plans on the presumption that the entire equipment of the station, including buildings and instruments, will have to be replaced. He stated this evening that, provided protection is given against further interference by the enemy, ho will be able to restore communication within one month from the departure of the equipment and workmen from Auckland. Discussing the interruption of the cable from a commercial point of view, Mr. Milward remarked that the enforced idleness of the cable was in every way most regrettable. Since the outbreak of the war the traffic had increased very greatly, and when the interruption occurred the cable was handling 2-1,000 words a day. The cable was being worked to its maximum capacity with no more than the normal delay, though a slightly heavier traffic could have

been sustained without serious dela; in transmission. This rate was dy termined by the “slowest” section the long span of 3-158 nautical milci from Fanning Island to Bamfiek Creek (Vancouver Island). AUSTRALIA. DEFENCE AND RELIEF FUNDS Sydney, Sept. 22. The Lord Mayor’s fund has reached £llB,OOO. * The New Zealand and Australian Land Company has decided to distribute £15,000 to the war relief funds in the several Australian Stales where it carries on business.

REDUCED CABLE RATES. Sydney. Sept. 22. The Eastern Extension Company notifies that with a view of reducing the cost, of cabling during the existing censorship, from to morrow international messages will bo charged on a basis of ten letters for each word. FEDERAL LOYALTY. PLEDGED BY MR. FISHER. (Received 23. 10.£5 a.m.) Melbourne. Sept. 23. The Hon. Andrew Fisher. Federal Premier, speaking at. the show luncheon, took the opportunity of assuring- the c<>-cpoi-:;tion of the Federal Parliament with the Mother Country, that her Dominion was with her in success and difficulties. He said, “Tell her again and again, and the enemy too if they care to hear it. that we arc prepared to be sacrificed with her if the necessity arose.”

N.S.W. LOANS AND LABOUR. (Recciv.-d 23, 10.25 a.m.) Sydney, Sept. 23. In the Assembly, the Premier, Mr. W. A. Ildinmi, slated that he proposes to introduce a Bill to permit loans to he raia-d at ;; higher rale of interest than four per emit, also a temporary measure for retrenchment of the public’ service. Hegarding unemployment only 3 per cent: of the population of New South Wales are unemployed. The Government contemplates building canvas houses dining the summer for families without homes.