The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY,) MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5557, 20 January 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY,) MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1879.

We recently expressed a doubt whether the special wires, secured for the purpose of supplying the Press with news, were likely to prove a success or not. The problem which was then unsolved was simply this : Is the new system better or worse than the old one 1 With the short trial which had even then been accorded to it, we wore able to point out that it was certainly not an unmixed good. Some of the evils of the new system were at once apparent, but we were then only doubtful of our ultimate verdict. Since, we must confess that so far as the Press is concerned it has certainly proved to be worse than the old system, especially at times when there is a press of important news. The new system must be regarded as inferior when most required. Prom many quarters we hear that business people are loudly complaining of the delay which occurs in the transmission of private messages owing to the wires being occupied by Press telegrams. Since the new regulations came into force a far larger number of words may be sent to the evening papers than was previously the case. They were formerly in the habit of receiving 500 words, they are now allowed to receive 1500, and in consequence during business hours the wires, especially in the afternoon, are blocked. We have no wish to see the evening papers placed at any disadvantage—on the contrary; but we point out the fact as bearing on the view we express that the introduction of the special wires is a mistake. It is difficult to say to what extent the department may bo in fault, neither does it immediately concern us. The first question for the Press to decide is whether they are better served now than formerly, and for our part we must admit that up to the present we would far rather have the old system again in use, and have the special wires conceded to the companies withdrawn. The news which comes to hand after 10 p.m. at the different stations is insignificant, the extra expense is considerable, and whenever there is the least pressure of work the special wire is liable to cut off the most important news in the middle. In addition to this, at times when arrangements have been made to secure the use of the special wire for some particular object only, such as a speech or European mail news, and to allow all the usual Press news to be transmitted by the ordinary wires at Press rates, we have reason to believe that the convenience of the department is considered rather than the requirements of the Press. Thus, on the evening of the 16th an ordinary Press telegram of 205 words only was handed in at Auckland at 5.40 p.m. ; it was received in Wellington at 1.32 a.m., and reached us at a few minutes before 2 o’clock. Upon that day the special wire had been cleared of all other news, and reserved for the’Frisco mail. The Auckland news, properly socallecl, was not lengthy, and we are totally unable to account for the delay of this particular message, except upon the hypothesis that it was held back until the ’Frisco news was finished, and the wire was clear. With a large quantity of English news to make up, we were compelled to exclude this as well as another telegram from Grahamstown, also much delayed. Had the same news come within a reasonable time after its delivery at the telegraph offices there would have been no difficulty whatever in our publishing it. At 1 o’clock on Wednesday night a few lines of the ’Frisco news were received at Wellington at 1 o clock ; it was at once cut off. It is true that even if the former system had still been in upon, that particular occasion the English news would not have been transmitted. But had the mail arrived before 10 p.m. the whole of the news would have been sent up to four or five in the morning. Under the special wire • regulations unfinished messages will constantly occur. On Thursday last the special wire was reserved for mail news only; even then there was barely time for the transmission of the whole of it before one o’clock. Mr. Stout’s speech was cut off unfinished simply through the “ copy” being slightly delayed, although the wire had been kept clear on purpose for this speech during the whole evening. When the wires are working badly we understand that the two news-agencies in Wellington are supplied alternately. If news is plentiful upon such occasions the whole of the telegraphic intelligence may be left unfinished.

Under the old system all messages handed in before ten o’clock would be continued until ended; under the new as much will be sent before one o’clock as possible. Under the old, when news was scarce the offices might be closed by eleven or twelve o’clock, except for cable news ; under the new, the staff of telegraphists must remain until after one, whether there is anything to do or not. So far as we can judge the general public is inconvenienced, and the .Press, which caters for and is the servant of the public, is no better served. The news sent, if somewhat greater in quantity, is of worse quality than when each word was paid for. Over £4O a week is paid by each body of news agents, and we convinced that the system introduced is not only very expensive but also radically bad. Let the special wire be done away with, and the old system be extended so as to allow press messages to be received up to 11 or 12 o’clock, the usual wire charges for each word being exacted. We believe the wires would not then be likely to be blocked up with news of little or no interest, which may or may not find its way into the papers. The Press stands to lose money without gaining news. Private telegrams are delayed, because Press telegrams have grown diffuse, and at the same time more uncertain because they are always exposed to a greatly increased risk of being left

unfinished. If the Telegraph Department were differently managed, or less severely taxed, possibly the system might work. As it is, news of a fire, or of an accident, may occasionally reach us that would under the old regulations have been delayed a day, but this one advantage is far more than counterbalanced by the numerous evils which we find have actually arisen in practice. The game is simply not worth the candle.