The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1895. THE PACIFIC CABLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10594, 1 March 1895, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1895. THE PACIFIC CABLE.

From the reply given in the House of Commons the other day, it is evident that the British Government is favourably considering the proposals for the construction of a cable line across the Pacific Ocean, connecting Canada with the colonies of Australasia, and perhaps, also, with South Africa, under a joint guarantee by the Governments interested. A few weeks ago, ( a correspondent of the Montreal Witness pointed out that the Vancouver and Australian cable would be but the commencement of extensions that would connect Vancouver with South Africa, and possibly also with India. The fact that telegraphic communication with Japan is at present only possible by way of China or Eussia will also stimulate a demand for an extension of the Pacific cable to the Land of the Eising San; It is said that for less than a million sterling Japan could be connected with Vancouver, and that a half-million additional spent on extending the line to Vladivostok would connect Canada and Australasia 'with the land lines of Asia and Europe at the eastern extremity, thus completing the circuit of the globe. The great opponent of the Pacific cable is Sir John Pender, who is the chief controller of the Atlantic cables, as well as being bead of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. In his latter capacity Sir John controls the cable business of all the world with eastern countries and Australasia, and he reepgnises that the construction of the Pacific cable will break down his monopoly. The company named pays 7 per cent dividends, which seem to be but a reasonable return for capital; but by “watering” and otherwise manipulating the stock the real returns are carefully concealed. It is well known, however, that shares in the Eastern Extension Company sell at 160, while its 4 per cent debenture stock stands at 116, This is the company which haggles and disputes over a small reduction of its charges to the public. Sir John Pender has tried every device to defeat the Pacific cable scheme. The President of the late Conference at Ottawa summed up his attitude very tersely thus Sir John Pender makes three distinct statements —first, that the cable cannot be built; second, that if built it cannot pay; third, that if it is to be built, he wants to build it;” The friends of the cable have demonstrated the falseness 6f his “ firstly ” and “ secondly,” and they are determined that it shall neither be built by him, nor pass under his control. There is just now good ground for hoping that the projected Pacific cable will be laid. The attempt of a United States party to divert the cable route by getting a line laid from San Francisco to Honolulu has so far failed, and is not likely to succeed so long as America adheres to her traditional policy of owning no territory beyond the seas. On the other hand, the immense advantages to Great Britain of having a cable-line connecting her colonies are so apparent that the Imperial Government cannot well decline to join in the guarantee for the construction and, working of the line.