THE PACIFIC CABLE

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144358, 24 March 1914, Page 3

THE PACIFIC CABLE

DEMAND FOR LOWER RATES. PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, March 24. The efforts that are being made to i secure the reversal by tho Pacific Cable Board of us recent reduction in cable charges between the United Kingdom and Great- Britain front 3s to 2s 8d a word arc being closely watched by the New Zealand authorities. It is felt here that the Dominion is entitled to a reduction on account of tho lower terminal charges as compared with Australia. Mr. R. H. Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral, stated that bo bad cabled to the High Commissioner urging him to do liis best to prevent tho motion approving the reduction being rescinded. Mr. Rhodes added that the New Zealand Government had frequently urged the beard to make reductions and he considered that instead of the late reduction being repealed there should be a further reduction. From ihoir report the members of the Dominions Trade Commission evidently took the same view and looked upon tho Pacific Cable Board as being too conservative. “Of course there is no competition,” said Mr. Rhodes, "but, 1 feel certain that it the cable were in private hands much more commercial ’enterprise would hi- do sn d, its management, Ai present the cable stands unused during a considerable part, of tho day raid is not nearly fully utilj ised.”