THE EMPIRE'S CABLES.

Mataura Ensign, 22 July 1909, Page 3

THE EMPIRE'S CABLES.

V AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE. MELBOURNE, July 21. Iu the Federal Senate Mr Pearce asked whether the Governmont had agreed to a reduction of tho laud charges on press cables, and whether the daily press to which concession was made bad given a guarantee to have all messages sent over the Pacific and not over the Eastern Extension cable. Ho asked if it were not a fact that messages woro now despatched over tho latter. Booing that the daily press had a monopoly, he asked would the Government see that in any agreement countTy newspapers which were customers of the syndicate would also receive concession*. Mr Pearce asked leave to give notice „ of questions in reference to his recont statement regarding a business circular that press cables were obtainod through one channel only and which in restraint of trade forbids a paper to receive and publish independent cables. The Attorney-General said the statement did not allege facts which if proved would justify a prosecution, but if there were facts available from any source calling for inquiry full considera. tion would bo given.

STATE-OWNED LINES. PERTH, July 21. News by tho mail steamer shows that tho motion moved by Mr P. D. Ross (Canada) at the Press Conference for j acquiring a State-owned cable between Canada-and Great Britain was opposed by Mr E. S. Cunningham (of the Melbourne 'Argus') and Mr F. W. Ward (of the Sydney 'Daily Telegraph'). The latter thought it very desirable that the Conference! should be unanimous, and asked if Mr Ross would amend his mo- . tion restricting its application to wireless telegraphy. Thoy already had one. Sft te-owneu cablo across tho Pacific, and this had financially beon a disappointment. Ho said this with regret, because he had always been a supporter of that cable; but in view of its financial results ho could not vote for. the extension of the Stato-ownod idea, v Mr Ross declined to accept tho suggestion Mr Cunningham said lie wished to make clear the attitudo of himsolf and soino of his fellow Australian delegates. They could not vote for tho motion because it nimed at the establishment of Government cables without compensaVtion to tho ownors of existing cables, and such action was practically coufteoation. A cable supported by tho long purse of tho Government might lead to tho destruction of tho existing cable company. There was a principle at stake, and in view of that no and some of his fellow dolegates would not vote for the motion. Mr Stanley Reed (India) was surprised at this opposition to State-owned cables from Australian Jflolegates iu view of tho fact that Australia enjoved cheaper cables, and that because of the State-owned cablo. Mr Cunningham: We should have naa them cheaper without tho Pacific cable. Tho motion wos agreed to without distent, although sovoral Australian delegatus did not vote.

REDACTION IN RATES. Received July 22, 10.45 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 22. Tho Postmaster-General (Sir John Quick) has received a roply from the Pacific Cablo Board agreeing to a reduction in jtrcss cablegrams from Is to 9d per word from August 1. The request to the Eastern Extension Company for a similar reduction will also bo agreed to. Referring to the reduction Sir John said: "It would bo base ingratitude if the newspapers do not now support tho Pacific cable. If it had not. been for the Pacific lino cablo users would not have tlie concessions they now enjoy. Surely the Pacific Company must got some of the increased business which must come from the reductions; if not, whero is tho encouragement, for the Board to make further concessions? I did not- think the Pacific Board's claims to public support have been adequately recognised,-gecing that the annual deficiency is so great." Tho speaker added! ' 'Wo do not wish t<> unduly compete with other cables or in any way unduly press the claims of tho Pacific Board, but wo certainly want a fair share of the business, and the Pacific. Board is entitled to this from a patriotic standpoint."

PRESS SXD REDUCTIONS. Received Julv 22. 12.20 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 22. Tho Postmaster-General states that before agreeing to the cablo concessions ho communicated with the representatives of tho Australian Press Association and brought the proposal under their notice and expressed the hope that if the concessions were granted and the rates reduced tho Pacific Cable Board would have a share in the increased business. No bargain was made nor any explicit assurance given on the subject. It was merely stated that if tho reduction wore made the association would of course have to consider whether it would lie able to use tho Pacific cable to advantage. The Pacific Cable Board's estimate for the year ending March 31 next anticipates a deficit of £64,0t)0.

CABLE ""NE W8? BT ILEOTBIO TSLB6BAPB COPYRIGHT, FIB OKITXD PBBBB ASSOCIATION.