CABLES AND WIRELESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23010, 11 April 1938, Page 10

CABLES AND WIRELESS

Considerable importance attaches to the announced revision of cable and wireless rates within the Empire. The reductions, estimated to save users £500,000 annually on the present volume of traffic, are in themselves substantial, New Zealand's benefit being estimated at £23,707. Should business be stimulated by tho lower tariff, as may reasonably be expected, the saving to the public will be greater, while the sacrifices of the interested Empire Governments and the operating company, Cableis and Wireless, Limited, should be largely offset. An important new principle is the adoption of a flat rate between all parts of the Empire, which the Times correctly describes as a "revolutionary change" in this department of communications!. It may be compared with the uniform charge for postage, whatever the distance, within national boundaries. In the present case, however, uniformity is applied throughout an Empire scattered to the ends of the earth. The Empire has been treated as a unit, in a new and most practical way. It may be hoped that this can be regarded as a beginning of the drawing together again of the Empire. The process of devolution proceeded almost too far after the war. More recently common dangers have served to emphasise common interests. A new approach to a more compact Imperial organisation cannot be made better than through the channels of communications. The Empire air mail represents another move in the same direction and it may be hoped that before long the Dominion Governments will support the fine British conception by adopting the flat l£d letter postage rate. South Africa has already fallen into line. From communications the move for uniformity and economic unity may yet spread to clearing the blocked channels of trade. A great and needed gain in Imperial strength and security would follow.