PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3785, 6 July 1899, Page 6

PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME.

EASTERN COMPANIES’ PROTEST. NEW SOUTH WALES OPINIONS. A SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT. j SYDNEY, Tuesday. Mr Reid, Premier of New South Wales, Las been asked by a press interviewer for his opinions with reference to the proposals placed before the Secretary of State for tho Colonies and the Chancellor of the Exchequer by -the deputation from the Eastern and Eastern Extension Cable Companies. Mv Reid said ho did not think the deputation had adduced any reasons to induce the colonies to alter their views. The companies, he said, were entitled to their opinions on the matter, but he did not think it would be necessary to alter in any way the instructions given to the Agent-General for New South Wales with regard to his- dealings with the Secretary of State for the Colonies at the proposed further conference. The New South Wales Government was, added the Premier, taking no further action in the matter. Both of the morning papers of this city refer to tho question in their leading columns to-day. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says t is not of very great moment- how Australia gets the second cable provided it is really an alternative to tlyj present one. There is certainly the Imperial sentiment at stake, but on the Home Government rests the responsibility ‘of dealing with that. The “Daily Telegraph” strongly objects to tho Cable Companies’ scheme, because the line suggested by them would touch at Honolulu, and therefore not be all-British. It objects to the colonial Governments saddling _ themselves with responsibility, seeing that the new company would pay interest on about fifteen millions’ worth of stock. The Eastern Companies have no guarantees, and no bend would be broken even if they had. A Pacific cable is a palpable necessity, and it will have to be State-owned, in accordance with Canadian and Australian precedent. (Received July 6, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, Wednesday. The “Daily News” states that Sir Michael Hicks-Bcach, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, have agreed with the Agents-General for the colonies concerned, on a basis satisfactory to all, for the laying of the Pacific cable as an Imperial undertaking in the fullest sense of the phrase.