CABLE RATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13482, 8 May 1907, Page 6

CABLE RATES.

The Federal Postmaster-General does, not look upon .the possible reduction of cable rates with nearly as hopeful an eye'as Sir Joseph Ward, an attitude which reminds us of the extraordinary political influence still exercised by ' the Eastern Extension Company in the Commonwealth.; But though Mr. Chapman sees no immediate prospect of; reducing rates ,to England ;. to the " sixpence, or aC the most one shilling, per word," advocated by our own Premier and Postmaster- he ; recognises that existing rates are - excessive and sees •" no reason why a reduction should not be made to 2s or 2s 6d per word if the other partners in the Pacific Cable and the" owners of the Canadian land line and the Atlantic cable companies would agree." Many as are the parties to be consulted, there should be no great difficulty with them, however, for the I Canadian Government has long favoured Sir jSandford Fleming's original scheme for a One Shilling' ■-■:. Cable Rate throughout the Empire. The great difficulty lies .in the ] delicate consideration shown in Australia to the Eastern Extension Company; and to the difficulty of bringing the Pacific Board to reason in the face of Australian objections. But? if the effect of Sir Joseph Ward's appeal is to reduce rates to two shillings per word, although far from satisfactory, it will be a step in the rjght direction. And ; in the meantime we may repeat our suggestion that .Australia and New Zealand should set the example of cheap cabling by establishing a Half-Penny -Bate* across Tasman's Sea, at which. rate Sir Joseph Ward has assured the public a profit, because a very ; large business would be carried on.