THE CABLE QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7757, 1 October 1886, Page 5

THE CABLE QUESTION.

ter. telegraph.—press association , .] Wellington, Thursday, In connection with the proposed increase of cable rates, the following cablegrams have beea received from the superintendent of the company at Wakapuaka :—

The following is a copy of a cable received by the chairman of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company from Sir J. Vogel:-."ln reply to youre of the 24th, you, apparently, have not considered the consequences of raising 'the tariff* The Government can cease to provide present accommodation at terminus where they are now treating you with great generosity. Clause 13 also gives power to charge for use of land lines by terminal rates or otherwise, or we can leave you to collect your own telegrams and moneys. We give you now in every way great aid, in fact virtually do the major portion of your business for you, saving you large expenses. We consider the intention of the contract was that the tariff should not be raised, and advise you to withdraw the proposals." The following telegram hae been sent by the Chairman of the Eastern Extension Australasia-China Telegraph Company to Sir Julius Vogel:—" London, September 28th. Have received your telegram. Are acting upon the highest legal advice, and have a perfect right to raise the tariff. You are bound to give us office accommodation for ten years from expiration of subsidy. New South Wales wae prepared to renew the subsidy for ten years, but declined to carry it into effect. The advantages which you atate we enjoy are far from making up for the heavy loss we sustain by working the traffic at the present rates. There really ought to be no difficulty in coming to a satisfactory arrangement. You complain of not having received legal notice. We have told you throughout our correspondence, extending over eighteen months, that unless the subsidy was renewed, the tariff would have to be raised. Now, to prevent all misunderstanding, and to satisfy the telegraph community of JN'ew Zealand and of the other colonies, the company will postpone raising the tariff until, the Ist January next, if you chose to reconsider the proposal with a view to an amicable arrangement."