BETTER COMMUNICATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 June 1930, Page 9

BETTER COMMUNICATIONS

in empire reduction of cable rates COMPETITION FROM U.S.A. By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. IReo. 7 p.m. > London, June 4. . “Wo are’ negotiating an agreement for the amalgamation of cables and ■wireless to Australia, South Africa and India,” Sir Basil Blackett told the Press Conference to-day. “immediately that agreement is completed With the Government’s concerned we intend to reduce cable rates to the wireless level.” The reductions would justify themselves only if they resulted in very substantial increase in the volume of traffic, Sir Basil said. The number of words . transmitted in 1929 was 244,090,090, compared with 84,000,090 in 1913 Experiments were being conducted to find whether the regenerator system used in cables could be applied to some . beam services. If automatic printing were feasible i't would lead to a great improvement in speed and accuracy. A big American company was making a determined bid to establish vast communications. It was impossible to ignore tho Nationalist sentiment behind much of this competition, which was serious and likely to increase. If the British company were to prosper' this competition must be met. Sir Basil hoped to be able to announce shortly the conclusion of an agreement establishing wireless telephone services with a number of places within and without the Empire. . Sir’ Basil mentioned that Australia had to wait 30 seconds for the Derby result. He apologised for the delay. A New Zealand delegate praised the ideals of the Imperial service as expressed by Sir Basil. COMMUNICATIONS COMBINE. CHEAPER CABLES IN S. AFRICA. Capetown, June 4. ' Following Sir Basil Blackett’s anticipation of a reduction in cable rates it is announced that the amalgamation of South African beam and cable services is imminent. The cables will not be scrapped. It is pointed out that they are insurance against jamming and atmospherics. It is anticipated that the cable rate to England will be reduced by fivepence.