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New Zealand Mail, Issue 761, 1 October 1886, Page 23

In another column we publish a very full report of the important interview which took place on Monday between the Chamber of Commerce Council and the Postmaster-General with reference to the threatened increase in the telegraphic cable rates. The tone of the interview was exceedingly creditable to both its parties. The deputation displayed a praiseworthy desire not to hamper the hands of the Government in the pending struggle with the Cable Company, or to urge any concessions which the Government deemed it inexpedient to make. The Postmaster-General showed every anxiety to meet the wishes of the deputation and the convenience of the public, while maintaining a firm attitude as against yielding an inch on the question of subsidy. Meanwhile the matter remains in the position which is fully explained in an article in another place. There are several points which demand careful consideration in respect to this subject, apart from those already dealt with. That the Company can show no equitable title to raise the rates in the manner proposed appears tolerably clear, but it is not so certain that they have not technically the legal power to do. If they can and do raise the rates in default of obtaining a subsidy, the entire burden will fall on those —the small minority—who use the cable, and so derive the most direct benefit from its existence. But they are not the sole recipients of the advantages accruing. Every person in the country is indirectly benefited in many ways by the existence of the cable. The increased security in case of war by the facility afforded of being advised of an enemy’s intended movements is in itself a great public benefit. So is the possession of the power of communicating with Europe and Australia by telegraph, and of receiving the news of the world with the least possible delay. All these facilities are highly beneficial to a country, and are worth paying for. Everybody who derives a share ot the advantage —that is to say, everybody in the Colony —may fairly bo called on to contribute a share of the cost to the public, instead of the whole being allowed to fall on those who use the cable. This would seem at first sight to favour the continuation of a subsidy, but there is another side of the case. It is asserted that for the same annual expenditure as is claimed in the shape of subsidjr this Colony could obtain an independent cable of its own. If so, this course, which is strongly advocated by the Postmaster-General, appears to us a good one. The Colony undoubtedly ought to have a second cable, in case of mishap to the present line, and if it were laid . the cost of messages would be materially cheapened, without involving great loss of revenue, if any. If the assent

of Parliament to the step" were obtained the Government might verywell address an ultimatum to the Company, requiring a specific undertaking to reduce the charges, the alternative being the construction of a Government line. That might bring the Company to reason. . A warning to this effect was given by Sir Julius Vogel three months ago when the threat to raise the rates had been made. Sir Julius cabled, “You may take it for granted if rates raised we construct cable. Quite uninfluenced by threat of raising rates.” But he was not then armed with Parliamentary authority to construct the line and so his menace would appear to.be mere brut-urn fulinen. The position would be very different if Parliamentary sanction were given to the undertaking. Even if, however, the Company yielded, oni} 7- one of the two objects would be attained. We should yet charge rates, hut not that reduced table which is so desirable. We hope therefore that, assuming the estimate of cost to be accurate, the Government will boldly bring down a scheme fox* an independent cable, and that Parliament_will accord the needful authority. Nor is this all. The question of a cable from New Zealand and Australia across the Pacific Ocean to America is one that should not be overlooked. In the event of war it might give us continued communication with England 1 when the other line had been interrupted by accident or destroyed by an enemy. It is much to be desired that both these duplicate cables should be secured, if this can be effected without involving an excessive outlay.