PACIFIC CABLE BUSINESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12240, 8 April 1903, Page 4

PACIFIC CABLE BUSINESS.

The contributing Governments will have a very heavy deficit to make good on the working of the Pacific Cable for the coming year. The estimate is £95,000, of which New Zealand's one-ninth exceeds £10,000. This amount we shall have to pay for two reasons: the amazing manner in which Australia has treated the Pacific Cable in which it is so largely interested, and the unbusinesslike methods pursued by the Board. When the Eastern Extension Company had a monopoly it never advertised and never troubled about pushing its business. But since Pacific competition stepped in the Company has in a dozen different ways done its utmost to p.ersuade the public that the Eastern route is the best, quickest and surest and that cablegrams should be marked accordingly. It is commendably sedulous in getting messages and is reaping the benefit of its work by securing from the Pacific Cable much business which would otherwise go to the latter. The Brisbane Chamber of Commerce perceives this weakness and recommends the Pacific Board to take similar steps in self-defence. We trust that New Zealand's representative will be instructed to support the Brisbane proposition, for the more business is secured by the Pacific Cable the less deficit will remain for us ro contribute tow irds and the nearer we shall get to the Shilling Cable, which is so desirable.