THE PACIFIC CABLE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1511, 14 February 1901, Page 48

THE PACIFIC CABLE

PRESS COMMENTS ON THE POSI-

TION

SYDNEY, February S. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says the sensational rumour that the Pacific cable is in jeopardy owing to Canada’s intended withdrawal, does net seem to have much behind it. Commenting oil the position, it adds that since Mr Setldon has been to Melbourne he seems to have persuaded Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand to undertake to do nothing detrimental to the Pacific scheme by taking any important step at present. It would appear that Canada creates delay and raises objections. From whatever point of view 7 she chooses to view the question, thej result seems to mean delay in completion of the line and disappointment- to Australian hopes. It is quite time now that the contract is signed that these States began to act firmly for themselves in dealing with the question. BRISBANE, February 8. The Premier (Hon R. Philp) considers no agreement between the Australian States and the Eastern Extension Cable Company should be concluded until the opinion of the Pacific Gable Board has been obtained. .

SYDNEY, February 9. The “Daily Telegraph"’ says the objections of the Canadian government, to the Cape cable agreement are evidently based on the assumption that the Pacific cable was to be principally maintained by the high rates on Australian business being kept up. What the advocates of the Pacific cable clearly wanted was that we should discourage any reduction in the company's rate,! so that when the Pacific line was .completed it would be able to cut under with a three-shillings • tariff. If the Cape scheme could be blocked and the Governments were foolish enough to do it the company would still fight the Pacific line by cutting rates, and as tliere is no intention, on this side at any rate, of creating at grdat public expense a kind of monopoly for an “all-red” cable, competition could not be stopped. It could not be likely that any sensible community would decline an offer of great reduction merely to bolster up a Stateowned venture which is in the far future, and will be a questionable liability when it becomes an accomplished thing.