§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Australian Government charges 5d. a word royalty on cables by the Eastern Telegraph Company which are entirely handled by that company; and whether he will suggest the removal of this tax when Imperial communications and trade are dealt with so as to extend existing preferences?
Mr. THOMASI find that this matter was raised at the Imperial Economic Conference last, autumn, and that the then Postmaster-General expressed the view that the lowering of the present terminal rate of 5d. per word in Australia on cable traffic would be highly appreciated by the commercial community and would stimu late cable communication with Australia. The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth was asked to re-examine the question, but he was unable, at that stage, to commit his Government.