19
Enclosure No.3.
campaign and also to the belief, still somewhat prevalent,
in the greater reliability of cables. The Postmaster
General of Hong Kong is not, however, in favour of a
reduction of the radio rate to Manila in the immediate
future; but he desires to be authorized to effect a
reduction later on (by agreement with the Radio Corporation)
should experience shew that the Hong Kong wireless station
is unable to retain a fair share of the traffic.
4.
If no outside established interests were
involved, I should now instruct the Hong Kong Post Office
to reduce radio rates in accordance with sound postal
practice to the lowest possible level compatible with a
reasonable return of revenue and subject of course to
reciprocal concessions from corresponding Administrations.
Cheap postal and telegraphic rates benefit commerce (the
first interest of this Colony), and I bear in mind that the
fostering of wireless may provide much needed government
revenue in the not far distant future.
5.
I am, however, aware that many other
considerations exist; and, though I wish to retain as fully
as possible the power to adjust radio rates to meet the particular requirements of the Colony, I should be glad to
have for my guidance an indication of the general policy of
the Imperial Government in commercial wireless matters. The
particular issue in this instance in respect of the Hong
Kong-Manila wireless teriff is itself comparatively
unimportant; but it is no doubt a fore-runner of many
similar issues, which will be raised in future, as the
Colony's radio service develops.
6. I take the opportunity to forward for your
information a table specifying, not only the various
commercial
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