The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-06-21 00:00:00

THE FUTURE OF TELEGRAPHY.

Mr. Pender, M P., in proposing the toast of "The Dele-
gates of the Ctmference " at -a dinner given in London at
Freemasons' Hall on Tuesday night to the delegates of the
international Telegraph Conference, in the course of his
speech, maid:— _ _ _

Telegraphy has beaten time and annihilated space;
yet it is still in its infancy. Its future growth will be
materially influenced by the deliberations of this con-
ference. The value of telegraphy to diplomacy we can
well understand. In a moment, Governments are
made aware of difficulties which often suddenly arise,
and which, if not promptly checked, might be fraught
with disastrous consequences. I may say, without
fear of contradiction, that the commerce of the world
is now carried on through the electric wire; and when
we measure this by the millions upon millions
of money required for these operations, we can
form some idea of this great power. Every morning
the merchant, be he where he may, learns the value
of produce or commodities in the most distant parts of
the globe. In a moment a transaction is conceived,
and a few hours will see the operation completed.
By this agency it is evident a much smaller amount of
capital is required to carry on the trade of the world.
In these times transactions cart be concluded in a few
hours which in bygone days would have occupied as
many months. It is difficult to realise all that has
been done, and yet will be done, by this great agency
which has sudoenly sprung up among us; but it is not
difficult to appreciate the enormous advantage which
the world has reaped, and is reaping, from it. When
we ponder these facts, it is not difficult to understand
the great importance which must be attached to the
delioerations of the conference. There are at pre-
sent in existence about a million and a quarter
of miles of land lines, representing a cost tf some
thirty•six millions of pounds. This vast net-
work has been constructed and worked by the
European Governments, excepting one company, the
Indo-European Company, which is more or less con-
trolled by Governments Fifteen years ago
there were only 2000, miles of submarine cable in
existence, and that was of a very imperfect nature.
There are at this day about 66,000 miles of submarine
cable, representing a capital of £25,000,000, or about
two-thirds of the cost of all the land lines. The bulk
of this capital has been found in England. The lines
of the cowpanies are sown broadcast in the Mediter-
ranean; they bring us into communication with Ame-
rica, India, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zea-
land,and within a short space of time we may add South
Africa. The important part which telegraphy has
performed during this period of wars and rumours of
wars, is best known to those who have been pulling
the wires; but I believe it to be a strong possibility,
that had telegraphic communication been established
with the Cape two years ago, when its expediency was
strongly urged, there would have been no Zulu war
to-day. What an enormous saving of blood and trea-
sure would that have meant to this countryl The
want of the telegraph has brought a dark shadow over
many a home. I hope the conference in the course of
their deliberations, will take into serious consideration
the question of press messages. lelegraphy has made
a very great change in this class of property. Time
was when the organ which professes to lead public
opinion, The Times, enjoyed almost a monopoly of
news, as it spared no expense on the means of loco-
motion, eo as to be the first to bring important
intelligence into the market. Now telegraphy
has laid the world open to all newspapers alike,
and, as an evidence of the enterprise of the
daily papers. I may mention that a very short time
ago a message was received in London by a paper pub-
lished at a penny, which cost over £220 for transmis-
sion. The press is the great educator of the people,
and as it must provide a large amount of matter each
day I think it is entitled to important consideration.
On the Atlantic systems of telegraphs we are carrying
press messages at quarter rates; these messages being
carried at intervals when the lines are least employed.
I think a similar rate should be granted by all tele-
graphs ; it would be a great boon to the press and a
greater boon still to the public at large, while I believe
it would not involve any loss to the telegraphs, I
think the question is an important one, and very well
worthy the consideration of the conference now sit-
ting.