THE CABLE SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9726, 23 January 1895, Page 4

THE CABLE SERVICE.

We observe that the Sydney Morning Herald refers to the present complete interruption of the cable service with England as an argument for the laying of a cable across the Pacific. There is no doubt that the argument is a strong one. Not a single message could be got through yesterday, or for two days before. At the last Postal Conference a resolution was agreed to as follows — "That, considering the important interests involved, both of a national and commercial character, in the establishment of a Pacific cable, the representatives of the respective colonies assembled at this Conference recommend their Governments to consider the desirability of entering into a guarantee with the other countries interested, for a period not exceeding fourteen years, and to guarantee interest at 4 per cent, on a capital of not more than £1,800.00 C to any company undertaking the laying of a Pacific cable." The Conference also specified the tariff which the company would be bound to, and gave as alternative routes: Brisbane to Ahipara Bay (New Zealand), Ahipara Bay to Suva, Suva to Apia, Apia to Fanning Island, Fanning Island to Sandwich Islands, Sandwich Islands to Vancouver; or, from New Zealand to Suva, Suva to Apia, Apia to Fanning Island, Fanning Island to Sandwich Islands, Sandwich Islands to Vancouver. The Hon. Mr. Ward, in proposing the resolution, pointed out the importance of this service. Lord Jersey, who attended the Canadian Conference on behalf of the Imperial Government, strongly urged in his re-port that the cable should be laid, so that it is to be expected that the English Government would consent to take its share of the guarantee. A few days ago a deputation from the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce waited upon Ministers to urge that every possible assistance should be given to the proposed Pacific cable. It was pointed out that the present route had failed thirty-six times in eighteen years, The Postmaster-General of Victoria, though quite agreeing as to the importance of the cable, was some what doubtful whether Victoria, in the present state of its finances, could undertake any heavy liability. The Canadian Government lately called for tenders for the work. For the firstnamed route the lowest tender was £1,600,000, and for the second, which ends at New Zealand, and leaves the Australian connection to the present lines, the < cost was £1,250,000. Mr. Ward considers that these are reasonable tenders, and is of opinion that if the Imperial Government will assist, the work will be carried out. The project is certainly of great importance in an Imperial point of view, for the present lines could easily be interrupted in case of war, and the present break down shows the serious risk of depending upon the lines we now have.