STATE-OWNED CABLES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4300, 8 March 1901, Page 5

STATE-OWNED CABLES.

, OOMiHUNIOATION 'WITH AUS- ; i TRALTA. SPEECH BY THE POSTMASTER- , general. •’ i " '•'• Serous, to the “Truia.” AUCKLAND, March 7. ■ Speaking at To Awamutu, the Hon J. G. Ward said the present condition of affairs in regard to, cable rates between New Zealand and . Australia was- en* . tirely unsatisfactory-’ He'never afc-oni time presumed to question the ngit • of the owners of the cable between. New Zealand and Australia to do whqt they considered best in their own uiteresta, bht‘ his duty, on the other hand, ww to look after the interests -of the people of New- Zealand, who were deeply l concerned in having the.beet cable,communication at the most .reasonable; rate possible iAxistralia. He, •wsnpffi satisfied! wiffi the preseat rates;-and'con-sidered them too nigh.* Ho had formerr ly asked the Cable Company to reduce • its rates, but he was unable to effect; this, as the Company considered the' rates unremunerative. He then- asked the company if it was ■ prepared/, to sell its right •to the NewZ ea * land Governfnent, - and' had /re* ceivcd a reply to the effect ’ that thb matter had been referred to the London Board. Since then some months. had elapsed, but ho further reply bad been received. He was of opinion that New Zealand should lay its own cable to Australia, and that without any. unnecessary delay. He had'*given the matiy ter a groat deal of thought and impartial consideration, hnd he felt satisfied that with, a- State-owned cable conduct, ed on linos similar. to that of the telegraphic services of the;colony there was no reason why we -should not be able to send twelve: words for sixpence to Australia, and produce results quite as satisfactory as now obtained from the' State telegraphic system. He maintained! that we would be justified in taking the matter seriously. The Premier wasatoone-with him in therjVjiew he entertained, that the State should establish and own.its own cables. He hoped that the good sense of the majority: of ;tho7 House of .Representativeswould lead them to agree with him, and that before long this groat'and muchneeded! reform would.net be a thing of discussion, but an established fact.