CABLE RATES REDUCED

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1927, Page 11

CABLE RATES REDUCED

NEW ZEALAND TO BRITAIN PACIFIC AND EASTERN ROUTES. NEW TARIFF IN OPERATION TO-DAY As from to-day, a reduction in the cable rate to Great Britain and Ireland via either route, will be effected as follows: Full rate, Is lid; deferred, lljd; British Government, one shilling per word. The reduction does not extend to daily letter or week-end messages. The rate via Pacific to all Canadian States is reduced by 3d per word for ordinary, and IJd per word for deferred messages. No reduction takes place in Canadian rates via Eastern. The reduced rates are effective by both the Pacific and Eastern routes, controlled respectively by the Pacific Cable Board and the Eastern Extension Cable Company. The announcements were made simultaneously by both cable administrations, and they came in the nature of a most pleasant surprise.

The Pacific Board had intended introducing on January 1 the complete revised tariff suggested in December, which was as follows, the existing rates being shown in parentheses: — New Zealand. —Britain: Ordinary, Is lid (2s 3d); deferred, UJd (Is ijd); Government, Is (Is 3d). Canada: Ordinary, Is 6d (Is 9d); deferred, 9d (lOJd); Government, lOld (Is). Western States: Ordinary, Is 7d (2s); deferred, 9Jd (Is); Government, Is. Eastern States: Ordinary, Is lid (2s 4d); deferred, Hid (Is 2d); Government, Is 4d. Australia. —Britain; Ordinary, 2s (2s 6d); deferred, Is (Is 3d); Government, Is Old (Is 4d). Canada: Ordinary, Is 7d (2s); deferred, 9ld (Is); Government, lid (Is 2d). Western States: Ordinary, Is 8d; deferred, lOd; Government, Is Sd. Eastern States: Ordinary, 2s; deferred, Is; Government, Is sd. The changes made, however, apply to only Britain and Canada. The board delayed action owing to the British Post Office requiring further consideration of its proportion of the cut. The whole matter was held up until January 24, when the Post Office intimated its acquiescence, and informed the Australian Government accordingly.

It is understood the two cable managements recently conferred regarding the date on which the reductions should become operative. March 1 was first suggested, but the Pacific Cable Board, in view of the previous delay, preferred February 1.

The Australian Press Association understands that reductions in the rates from the United States to Australia will shortly be arranged, and then the whole tariff drawn up in December will be in force over the All Red route. The Australian Press Association gathers that the Eastern Extension authorities learned in Australia of the Pacific Board’s intention to . operate the reductions from February 1, which enabled the Eastern Company to anticipate the public announcement by the Pacific Board by a few hours. A bill establishing the reorganisation of the Pacific Cable Board decided upon at the Imperial Conference, is now being drafted, and it is hoped will be passed by the British Parliament before March 31, the end of the board’s financial year.