CABLE NEWS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1801, 1 March 1886, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

THE CABLE RATES NEGOTIATIONS. A POST r'Vlri SYSTEM BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES. DEFENCE OF THE COLONIES. London, February 25. After several meetings with tbe AgentsGenerali tbe companies announce a reduction on public messages to 9s 4d, unconditionally, from let Jn y. They will furthei reduce the rate to 8s if the seven colonies join in extending tbe existing subvention from th» prfsenl unexpired term of 14 years to 20 years. Tbe Eastern Extension Company are prepared lo accept the New South Wales and New Zealand Governments’ proposals, and for the New Zealand cable will make a reduction to 6d per word for public messages, and 3d for Press, if the New Zealand Govern ment will join with tbe other six colonies in the subvention referred to. Tne old contract expired last Sunday, and to avoid inconvenience by increasing the tariff, the company will keep open its proposal to give time for negotiations.

February 26. Sir B. N. Fbwler, replying to Mr Henniker Heaton, doubts whether tbe colonies will acquiesce in a proposal to establish a penny post card system between the United Kingdom and tbe colonies. Mr Henniker Heaton intends to renew his question re establishing a post card service, and invite the Government to parley with tbe colonies.

In the House of Lords to-day Earl Granville, Secretary of State for the Colonies, announced that a Committee had been appointed to confer with the Agentg-General with regard to a scheme for tendering tiia Imperial forces available for tbe defence of the colonies. {His Royal Highness, the Dake of Cambridge, stated that the War Office would grant every facility and encouragement to ensure retired officers finding employment in the colonies.

Adelaide, February 26. In consequence of the irregularities which have been discovered in the disposal of the funds of tbe Commercial Bank of South Australia, tbe manager of the bank has been suspended, and ;will be delivered up to the police.