CABLE RATES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15855, 29 August 1913, Page 7

CABLE RATES.

NEGOTIATIONS. PROCEEDING. QUESTION OF STATE OWNERSHIP. (Fbom Ode Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 27. Two questions dealing with a cheaper cable service between New Zealand and the outside world were asked in the House to-day. Mr Okey first asked the Postmastergeneral whether, in order to bring the cost of cable communication between the dominion arnd the Old Country within reasonable limits, he. woidd consider the advisability of co-operating with Australia in the direction of breaking down the vested interests that existed at present, even if it necessitated the nationalising of the cable business, giving the companies a fair price for'their interests: Tho Hon. Mr Rhodes replied that the Government was fully impressed with tho desirability of cheapening the cost of cable communication between the dominion and other parts of the world, and with this object in view had been, and was still, in communication with the Commonwealth authorities on the subject of a reduction of rates. The nationalisation of the cable business was a proposition of such complexity and magnitude that it would constitute a fit subject for an international conference, bnt was scarcely one in connection with which this dominion should take tho initiative.

Mr Ell asked the Postmaster-general whether he had communicated with the Postmaster-generals of Canada and Australia with respect to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand co-operating in the laying of a State-owned cable linking up the. United Kingdom with the overseas dominions.

Mr Rhodes replied that several communications had passed between the Governments and the other Governments, prtner owners in the Pacific cable, regarding the laying of a State-owned cable across the Atlantic. This dominion, he added, had at various times strongly advocated the laying _of a State-owned cable across tho Atlantic. ,