PACIFIC CABLE CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 53

PACIFIC CABLE CONFERENCE.

QUESTION OF COMPETITION. LONDON, August 11. The minutes of the Pacific Cable Conference’s report have been signed by Mr Lyttelton, Lord Jersey, Sir William Mulock, and Sir Sandford Fleming. In addition to the brief statement cabled a few days ago—recommending that unless some satisfactory arrangement be promptly arrived at the Pacific Cable Board be authorised to engage in active competition with the Eastern Extension Company—the report declares that the members of the conference, remembering that the Pacific cable was initiated largely to promote Imperial unity, have endeavoured to remove all sources of friction between the partners, and have sought to adjust existing difficulties in a spirit of reasonable compromise. The conference earnestly trusts that the Commonwealth agreement of 1903 will not be ratified unless clause 25 i 9 amended to read:—“The agreement remains in force until October 31st-, 1913, and no longer.” Thus the partners will then be restored to the position precedent to the New South Wales agreement. It is considered that the Board should be allowed discretion to negotiate an amicable arrangement with the Eastern Extension Company, subject to the approval of the Governments interested, and the adoption of the amendment mentioned. The report concludes:—With a view to the maintenance of cordial and friendly relations, any future question concerning terminal rates, Customs duties, or proposed concessions or privileges to any cable or telegi'aph company, or other matters affecting the interests of the cable, should be referred by the Board to the Governments concerned for consideration before final action is taken. A majority of the signatories express the hope that the Commonwealth will reduce the terminal rate.