PACIFIC CABLE

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1926, Page 4

PACIFIC CABLE

SECOND EDITION

CANADA "RAISES QUESTIONS. d STATEMENT BY FEDERAL PREMIER. : TERMINAL CHARGES IN DISPUTE. (Received 12.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Mr. S. M. Bruce, Prime Minister, replying to questions in the House of Representatives, Said that advice had * been received that application was being made to-the Canadian Government for a license to land the new PaciJie ■ cable on Canadian territory. The Canadian Postmaster-General had replied that it would be preferable that certain matters outstanding between - his department and the Paeifie Cable Board should be adjusted to the satisfaction of Canada before granting alicense. No direct action had been’ taken by the Commonwealth Government, as the matter was subject tonegotiation by the Pacific Cable Board, cn which the Commonwealth was re-' presented. The Canadian Government , had not expressed to the Common- ‘ wealth Government, nor, as. far as iff ■ was known, to any other of tho £- participating governments, its intention to withdraw from the Pacific CableBoard.'

It was impossible to say at this stage- what the effect of the with-, 1 drawal of Canada from the Board" might have on the' Commonwealth. If was not a fact that One of the reasons - - mentioned for the attitude of the Canadian Government was the imposi- : • tion by the Commonwealth of a high’ ■ terminal charge whereas Canada , "imposed no charge. Consideration wasbeing given, but no conclusion had yet been received regarding a resolution' passed by the third Imperial Press ■ Conference protecting against the terminal charge and asking, for itA revision on equitable business lines. , The Postmaster-General, Mr. Cibson,. said that for 1924-25 receipts from cable charges were £151,702 from ordinary traffic, and £11,339 from press - • traffic. The loss by the telegraphic branch of the Postal. Department iir 1922-23 included ordinary telegrams - -v (£5000), press telegrams (£299,000) and* ■ lettergrams (£6000). —A. and N.Z.