THE PACIFIC CABLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19513, 17 December 1926, Page 14

THE PACIFIC CABLE.

CELEBRATING DUPLICATION,, LUNCHEON IN WELLINGTON. MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COBKESIPONDENT.,) WELLINGTON,, Thursday, To celebrate the completion of the duplication of the Pacific caible, h luncheon was held in Wellington. Included among the gathering were the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon,. W. Downie Stewart, the Postmaster-Gen-eral, Hon. W. Nosworthv, Sir Joseph Ward, and the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, The Minister congratulated the board on the completion of a very important undertaking. 'He said he understood the work was done out of the board's funds. It was the only undertaking he had heard of that had not approached the Government for a subsidy. So far as the Government was concerned he was very pleased indeed with the success of the board's operations. Mr. Stewart read a communication from the Prime Minister, in London, congratulating the Pacific Cable Board on the opening of the new cable. Mr. Coates said lie trusted it would prove of real advantage to the business community. and expressed the wish that it would still further strengthen the bonds of Empire. The Minister also read a congratulatory telegram from Mr. L. S. Amery, .Secretary of State for the Dominions. "These messages," concluded. Mr. Stewart, "show what great interest has been aroused by this important undertaking. I can only join with you in heartily congratulating the board." MOVE FOR LOWER BATES. EFFORTS BY AUSTRALIA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 16. Questioned regarding the proposed reduction in cable rates, the PostmasterGeneral, Mr, W„ G. Gibson, said he was not prepared to confirm the cable messages which had been published in the press. He said the matter had been . one oi! confidential negotiation between the parties concerned, and finality had not yet been reached. The Commonwealth Government had done everything possible to obtain an early reduction in the cable tariff.