STATE-OWNED CABLES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 22 July 1909, Page 8

STATE-OWNED CABLES.

PROCEEDINGS AT THE PRESS

CONFERENCE.

ATTITUDE OF TBE AUSTRALIAN

DELEGATES.

Tpkess association. "j PERTH, July 21.

News by the mail steamer shows that the motion of Mr Ross, of Canada, at the Press Conference, for acquiring a State-owned cable between Canada and Britain was opposed by Mr Cunningham, of the Melbourne Argus, and Mr Ward, of the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

The latter thought it very desirable that the Conference should be unanimous, and asked Mr Ross if he would amend the motion restricting its application to wireless telegraphy. They already had one State-owned cable across the Pacific which financially had been a disappointment. He said that with regret, because he had always been a supporter of that cable, but in view of its financial results, he coxild not vote for the extension of the State-owned idea.

Mr Ross declined to accept the suggestion.

Mr Cunningham said he wished to make clear the attitude of 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 owners of the existing cables, and such action was practically confiscation. A cable supported by the long purse of the Government might lead to the destruction of existing cable companies. There was a principle at stake, and in view of that he and some of his fellow delegates would not vote for the motion.

Mr Stanley Reed (Indias was surprised at this opposition to the State-owned cables from Australian delegates, n view of the fact that Australia enjoyed cheaper cables, and that because of State-owned cables.

Mr Cunningham : We 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.