THE TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14704, 8 June 1908, Page 7

THE TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE.

REDUCTION OF CHARGES. United Proas Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LISBON, June 5. ' The Lisbon Telegraph Conference sanctioned a eliglit reduction on tho telegraph charges between Britain and Europe. Britain proposed to reduce the terminal and transit rates on extra European telegrams tp the level of European rates. •- Germany and Italy strongly opposed the proposal, while the cable companies also were not prepared at present to make a corresponding reduction. The proposal was withdrawn. COMMERCIAL CODES. (Received June 7, 4.15 p.m.) LISBON, June. 6. In deference to protests from the whole of tho British Empire, tho Postal Conference at Lisbon decided to maintain the existing rules regulating the selection of words in the conir pilation of commercial codes, but the conditions with respect to the pfonouncability of words will bo more clearly defined- Arrangements were made to optionally present tho codes to a Board of Control consisting of representatives of Britain, France and Germany, with a view to ascertaining whether they fulfil the conditions imposed by the second paragraph of Clause 8. It was emphasised, by some British delegates that codes not presented for approval equally with those not approved should remain in force, but that each administration should bo entitled to accept or reject any words.