COMMISSION'S COMMENTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13291, 29 January 1914, Page 9

COMMISSION'S COMMENTS.

POSTAL AND CABLE FACILITIES. SIB JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. (Special to Herald.) AUCKLAND,' this day. Interviewed on the comments of the Empire Trade Conimissioner* regarding , the postal and cable facilities between .- Australasia and the Motherland, > Sir. ■ Joseph Ward, had some interebting observations to make relative to New Zealand's position. The present leader of . the Opposition was m the forefront of ! postal reforms while he held office as / Postmaster-General, and sine, his administration retired from oflice he has continued with unabatiiig vigor to advocate the increasing of those facilities which count s-o much m the development of the trade and commerce of the growing British communities m the South Pacific. LITTLE SEED TO COMPLAIN. "Ihe remarks of the Conunissibn regarding the inadequacy of postal facilities refer mole to Australia than _\ew Zealand,"^ began Sir Joseph Ward. "So far as New Zealand is concerned we are. m this -position," he went on. "We do not subsidise any route going from Sydney, and consequently have no right as a. country to dictate as to what should be done vvlien. we are not giving f any contribution for a speedy service. Tliat is a question for the consideration of Great Britain and Australia. It is quite true that we pay the postal unioSi rates for any matter that goes by any service. We do net subsidise, but m addition to that we have an excellent arrangement for the conveyance of ne»vspapers, for instance, from, New Zealand at a cheap rate; but the'- -Sties service is not the route by -which they go. In addition also to -qur services across Canada and tha ""'United States there are a. number of flile" direct stealers travelling between New Zealand and the Old Country, so that upon the whole we are very well served." THE SPEED FACTOR." "The question of speed between the Old Country and the Dominion is an entirely, different matter. Anyone who knows anything of the eitra- cost in-, ciured for obtaining sj-WedVat sea realises as I do that if we 'want faster communication between N.\v Zealand and London ther? is only oiie way to g«t it, by paying sufficient money to induce steamship proprietors to supply and equip vessels to --maintain a higher rate .of speed than we ha.ye at present across the Pacific and Atlantic. If we p are prepared to pay for it we ought to" be brought about a week closer to the Motherland. It is, however, as I say, all a matter of money, and my own opinion is that the opening of the Panama Oanal is sure to create fresh developments. It must be beneficial to New Zealand. Any forward movement to ensure faster communication with the Old Country must, m my opinion, be considered upon practical lines from a commercial point of view," continued Sir Joseph Ward. "This country has very little need to complain. It has enormous services, while the total amount the country is paying for them is practically a . bagatelle compared to the direct and indirect advantages we gain." PROHIBITIVE. CARLE CHARGES. Discussing the suggestions for cheapening the cables, Sir Joseph declared this was a question on which he had very emphatic opinions. "1 have." he pointed out, "urged it time after time m every quarter. I moved a resolution at the Imperial Conference. I have repeatedly called attention to it m the House of Representatives, and have mads representations to the Imperial authorities oil various occasions-. There are some -people who imagine that Sir Hennikcr Heaton was greatly m advance nf the times "-when he advocated penny a word cables. I ,was not prepared to go as far as he iva.s urging m that direction, because financial considerations had to be admitted, but I have for years urged sixpence a. word, and I believe that at that rate comparatively speaking eiiiotv cable lines Mould be reasonably filled, and that payable results Would come with the cheapening of the cost, as is now reaomniended by the Empire Commission. THE ATLANTIC LINK. ''What 1 hope tlie Commission will also recognise." added Sir Joseph, "is the fact that there should be a Stateowned cable across ths Atlantic, which, is <*v necessary link to complete a. State-' owned. Pacific cable. When that link is completed, I think it is unquestionable that the Pacific Cable Board. _ with the full conciiirence of tho countries- it represents, should be able, without the least difficulty, to brinsr about a heavy reduction m the cable charges. I have repeatedly pointed out that _,to a very large extent it is the commercial world only that can aH'ord to pay the present high cost of cabling. Th-V service ought to be brought within reach of tho.se who want to use it for any purposes, business or domestic."