RIVAL CABLE ROUTES.

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 18

RIVAL CABLE ROUTES.

THE PACIFIC AND CAPE ROUTES. CRITICISM OF NEW ZEALAND’S ACTION. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST HIGH CHARGES. SYDNEY, February 7. Speaking at a dinner given to the Queenslanders, the Postmaster-General (Hon W. P. Crick) said he had told a representative of tlie Eastern Extension Company that in lowering its rates the company wa's desirous of killing the Pacific cable scheme, through showing the colonies that it would , not pay their various Governments to lay the cable. He would require that the company should undertake never again to raise its rates above the lowest standard established. That was the only contract it would get from him. In the final agreement a good bargain would be struck for the commercial community, and one that would not jeopardise the Pacific scheme to the extent of one farthing. Mr Crick also said the New Zealand Government had rejected all the recent cable proposals without knowing what they were. Whilst he would allow the Eastern Extension Company no monopoly, he was equally determined not to allow a Government cable monopoly that would make the public pay a higher rate than that at which a private company could do the work.

Mr Dawson, Header of the Queensland Opposition, said he was entirely against Mr Crick’s proposal. All the Queenslanders were in favour of the Pacific scheme.

THE CAPE AND PACIFIC SCHEMES. SYDNEY, February 9. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian Premier, has cabled strongly objecting to the last- proposal of the Eastern Extension Company or any other that would remove the control of the telegraph business from the local Governments or give the Eastern Extension Company a free hand in competing with the Pacific cable.

The Hon W. P. Crick, PostmasterGeneral oi- New South Wales, says that Sir Wilfrid Laurier asks him to favour .monopoly for the Pacific cable, Hut be will not do so. ATTITUDE OF VICTORIA. CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED IN A MONTH, MELBOURNE, February 7. As the result of a number of interviews with the Premier of Victoria (Hon Allan McLean), the representative of the Eastern Extension Company has decided to recommend the company to accept the proposals adopted by the Premiers’ Conference with slight modifica;turns. He has accepted the. condition that the company reduce its .rates as soon as the contract is signed," but it is not to be allowed to open offices dealing direct with the public till the completion of the Pacific cable. He says he has insisted that all material for the laying of cables be admitted duty free. It. is expected that the contract will he signed in about a month. THE CAPE TO AUSTRALIA SCHEME MELBOURNE, February 10. The only point to be settled in regard ‘'k® Cape cable is the payment which the Eastern Extension Company is required to make for connecting with the land lines. ■_The Cable Company is prepared: to adopt the Postmaster-General’s suggestion that the colonies should receive so much for each word passing over the lines. BRISBANE, February 11. The Postmaster-General (the Hon J. G. Drake), in replying to a deputation from tne Chamber of Commerce—whose mission was to strengthen his hand in regard to the Pacific cable—said the Government was more determined than ever to do everything in its power to forward the Pacific scheme. No scheme would be countenanced wuidi would jeopardise the scheme, said , Drake, who went on to remark that A® ?. ld *°, fc thmk the people of New south Wales were unanimously in favour ot the views expressed by Mr Crick, the Postmaster-General of that colony, with regard to the Cape-to-Australia line. He promised to consult his colleagues as to whether Queensland was prepared to stand out with New Zealand and Canada for the Pacific cable. In the meantime, he might positively say that she Vould. • • : ■

Tho following is the text of the message sent- by- Mr Seddcn to the Post-master-General of Victoria concerning the proposed cable between Australia and Cape Colony:—“New Zealand considers acceptance of Cape cable scheme a breach of faith in connection with Pa : cifie cable arrangement, seeing that it must reduce earnings and increase liabilities.”