THE RIVAL CABLE ROUTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12607, 10 March 1903, Page 5

THE RIVAL CABLE ROUTES.

(Pee United fess Association.) OHRISTCnUnCH, March 0." The Premier lias ruoaivod a cablo massage to the effert that Canada has protested against tho facilities proposed to be afforded' to tho Eastern Extension Cable Company by tho Commonwealth. Tlie proposed" new agreement would reaffirm the agroomcnt with New Soutli Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia, whion Las boon current for 10 yoars, terminable Oil two years' notice on cither side, The company nod the right to establish offices, in the four oentrw as well as Queensland.ft is claimed the agreement will redude tho charges for cables between tho Australian colonies, India, and China. The proposed agreement with Victoria and Queensland moio than compensated for any,loss that might l>e sustained by those States from tho ohangu. Mr Scddon pointed' out that during the colonial conference 'application was made to tho Eastern Cable Extension Go. for a 20 years' extension of the agreement, as tho Commonwealth had taken up the position as one of tho contracting parties. New South Wales and Queensland objected to the proposal. Sir Wilfrid Laurier himself asked Sir Edmund Barton that Buffioiont notice of any proposed' change should be given to the colonies interested. Mr Criok (New South Wales) gave facilities to tho Eastern Extension Company-which wero a great breach of faith, and exception \vas taken to this at tho time by Viotoria, Queensland., New Zealand, and Canada. By tho present'proposed agreement, which must yet be ratifiod, Viotoria and Queensland would be brought in' on tho same terms, with tho result that the company not only would havo separate offices, but separate lines for traffic independent of tho Government office, and would also be given other advantages over the Pacifio cable. Tho Now Zealand Government strongly objected, and protested against tho proposed arrangement, a copy of which had been oabled to tho Agent-goneral, with instructions tc bring tho matter before the Pacifio Oablf Board. The Premier pointed out thffit this was tho first partnership Now Zealand had bc.-i concerned in with tho Commonwealth, and, under the circumstances, probably it would be tho last. The rearrangement of cable affairs might result in increasing the amounts payable by Canada and Now Zealand towards tho Pacific cable to make up any deficiency..