THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, APRIL 2,1897.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10406, 2 April 1897, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, APRIL 2,1897.

Recent events have given us a vivid apprehension of the importance of the trans-Pacific cable, and of the urgency that should attach to the realisation of that project. The break that occurred in the two Alexandria-Malta cables, and the interruption of communication between these colonies and the arena in which are taking place the most stirring incidents for many years, may readily suggest the bewildering confusion that would result to us in certain contiugencies from our present medium of communication being laid right through the centre of the scenes of political and military and naval turmoil. Happily the break in question was not connected in any way with the international unrest that exists in Europe; but there are few to whom it did not suggest itself as a probable thing that the break in the communication was the first audible signal of the strife begun in the eastern Mediterranean. For when we think of what a slender thread our telegraphic communication hangs on we may have every reason to expect that at the moment in which any of the Great Powers open their guns on one another —if that expected catastrophe really comes to pass—the first report of those guns will be followed by a profound silence, in which for weeks, if not for months, we shall be left in absolute suspense as to the course events are taking. Besides the fact that the lines of cable traverse the whole length of the Mediterranean, the theatre of expected hostilities, the risks in the narrow passages of the Red Sea, on the Arabian coast, in Egypt, and elsewhere are so many and so great that the cables could be cut at a hundred points by any Power that was interested in severing the telegraphic communication of these colonies and India with the mother country, Even the possible alternatives of communication by Persia or by Siberia are wholly in the hands of possible enemies, and there is the absolute certainty that auy great struggle which the Empire may have with an enemy or a combination of enemies, and in which we shall be compelled in these colonies to bear a part, or bear the consequences, must be fought to a finish, without our having any telegraphic information or warning or advice from the centre of the Empire. We stand at this hour face to face with that contingency, and there is no avoidance of it except through the completion of cable communication across the Pacific.

It would be difficult at tins moment to point to any Imperial requisite more urgently needed by these colonies, at least, in anticipation of a possible general war. It is important, of course, that our forta should be strong and properly manned, and that a sufficient squadron should be at hand to protect our coasts. But the value of these provisions would be enormously discounted by the absence of warning as to the movements of expeditions, and the progress of hostilities at the great centre of conflict. It would be difficult to exaggerate the anxiety and even fear that will be felt in these colonies, if a war with all the uncertainties inseparable from it, is proceeding in Europe, and we have to remain in ignorance of events, while possibly enemies, at different points on the coast of Asia may be fully apprised of proceedings, and in receipt of direct instructions from their head quarters. If the outbreak of hostilities is as imminent, and as near as we are sometimes inclined to suppose, of course the Pacific cable cannot be constructed in time to take part in the conditions of the struggle, but the whole situation suggests that not an hour of needless delay should be allowed until this great imperial work is. completed. At this moment the project seisms to be in eome way in suspense. The Pacific Cable Commiiwiob whieh.safc some months ago, in London, appears to have practical

concluded its labours, and to lrfre furnished its recommendations wlich are entirely in accord with the inientions and wishes of the colonies. Ai stated in another column, all the polonies represented at the last intepolonial Postal Conference, with the exception of Western Australia, have indorsed the resolution of that Conference, expressing great satisfaction tith the scheme adopted by the Pacific Cable Commission, so that nothing ajpears to remain but putting the acceptd scheme in practical operation. Still tie delay seems to continue, and it isipossible that the mind of Mr. Chanberlain, ' being absorbed in the preparaiions for the great Imperial celebratioi of the Diamond Jubilee, has been overlooking the Pacific cable as a minor ftncera, It has been said too, that ths matter hangs on the decision of the Imperial Government as to what prcutical part that Government will take i» the enter* prise whether as guarantoi or contributor, and altogether a n'llp seems to be required to put the project in motion. That stimulus might be happily sup. plied by the aseemblage ofthe Colonial Premiers in London, nor do we knovi anything more apropos of the great Imperialistic demonstration than the inauguration of an enterprise so intl nately bound up with th< safety and th» jreatness and the progres of the empire Some exception has bem taken, and •easonably so, to portiols of the pro. [ramme indicated by thJ Secretary ol State for the Colonies, as that which night form the basis of ris conferences nth the Premiers. On some of these abjects on which there is considerable dfference of opinion in the colonies, the Premiers will not be warranted in speaking as to the will of colonists, But on this one subject of the trans. Pacific Cable, intended is it is to touci only British soil, and to be under Imperial and intercolonial control, tbf P-emiers will have no difficulty in vnoing the mind of the colonies. Anfl ii this connection it might be well to siggest that the position of the Premier h relation to it would be greatly irengthened, if he were expressly ia, irueted by a resolution of Parliament b claim the good offices of the Secre. lary of State for the Colonies in favonr cf the immediate construction of the tans-Pacific cable, under Imperial and colonial auspices. The occasion would be opportune, for the whole current ol piblic feeling in England running ia the direction of closer and more intl* timate ties between the separated sections of the Empire, a project like this must appear as a very striking symbol, and outward and visible sign, of the unity of the Empire. If the Premier is formally made the bearer of such a message from the Parliament and the people of New Zealand, his mission will iave a tangible and practical value attaching to it, not in any way afe variance with the sentimental and picturesque elements that form such an important part in the great spectacular demonstration of the oueness of the British race; and the success of such appeal would be more than recompense to the colony for all the expenditure that may be allowed in connection with his mission to London.