HC Deb 20 April 1914 vol 61 cc567-8
16. Major ARCHER-SHEE

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether, in compliance with the recommendation of the Dominions Royal Commission, he will issue instructions that registered addresses shall be accepted for week-end messages, viâ the Pacific cable to Australasia, to be forwarded by post as well as for those to be forwarded by telegraph; and (2) whether, with reference to the second interim Report of the Dominions Royal Commission, he will give instructions that the Post Office Guide should be amended so that senders of week-end messages to Australasia will be clearly informed that unless they pay a supplementary charge for telegraphic delivery the message may take several days to reach its destination in Australasia?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Arrangements have meen made under which, on and from the 1st proximo all week-end telegrams to and from Australasia will be delivered to the addressee on Tuesday. If, in order to effect delivery on that day, it is necessary to forward the telegrams the whole way by telegraph, no additional charge will be made to the senders. Registered addresses will be accepted for all week-end letter telegrams delivered by telegraph under this revised arrangement.

18. Major ARCHER - SHEE

asked whether, with reference to the recommendations of the second interim Report of the Dominions Royal Commission, the minimum length of week-end messages will be reduced from twenty-four words to twelve; and whether the charge per word will be reduced, in accordance with the further recommendation, from 9d. to 6d. and the minimum charge for a telegram to 6s. instead of 18s., as at present?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu)

Early next month a new rate for week-end messages of 15s. for twenty words and 9d. for each additional word, which will cover telegraphic transmission throughout, will come into force as regards traffic with Australasia.

Major ARCHER-SHEE

May I ask why it is that the further reductions recommended by the Royal Commission are not-practicable, as stated by the chairman of the Pacific Cable Board?

Mr. MONTAGU

It is in the discretion of the Pacific Cable Board.

Major ARCHER-SHEE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand are partners in the Pacific Cable Board, and are quite ready to make up the deficit, if any?

Mr. MONTAGU

I do not know that from memory, but these matters concern other countries and Dominions upon whom the loss, if any, would fall.

19. Major ARCHER-SHEE

asked, in view of the fact that the Dominions Royal Commission, in their interim Report, state that it is the universal feeling in Australia and New Zealand that the present scale of cable charges is excessive and that they emphatically endorse the opinion, and, further, in the case of the Pacific cable, that in the year 1912–13, it was utilised only to the extent of 33 per cent. of its maxi mum carrying capacity of seven and a half million words per annum, what steps are being taken to increase the load and reduce the cable charges?

Mr. MONTAGU

The question of rates is at present under the consideration of the Pacific Cable Board.