PACIFIC CABLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1923, Page 5

PACIFIC CABLES.

LAYING NEW SYSTEMS. LOWER RATES LIKELY. INFLUENCE OF WIRELESS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 10, 5 5 p.m. Sydney, May 10. The steamer Stephen will shortly arrive from London with material for two new cables for the Pacific cable on board, one for the Southport-Sydney line, the other for the Suva-Auckland section. As the routes have already been surveyed, the work of laying the cables will be started shortly after the vessel's arrival. Mr. Milward, manager for the Pacific Cable Company, says that the duplication of the cable from Canada to Fiji is held up pending tests of a new cable which is calculated to considerably increase the speed of transmission of messages, and bring about . a reduction in the rates if the tests are succesgful. AU the cable companies recognise that this will bring about a revolution in cable telegraphy. Mr. Milward added that .whilst he admitted wireless would play an important part in connection with strategic purposes, it is not feared commercially in the near future. In any case, if commercial wireless is developed, the cable concerns hope by ultimate reduction in rates to successfuUy compete against it.