We trust that the Government will not be tempted to
try to administer the cable or wireless services more than is necessary, but to leave that in the hands of private enterprise, of those who are expert and whose business it is to operate economically. The Committee appointed to recommend improvements in the inland telegraph service recognize this in their Report which was issued last week (Cmd. 8058-6d.). They do not recommend- handing over to private enterprise that uneconomic service which costs the taxpayer huge sums usually, but they say that the " root fault of the Service " is that there is for the Government officials engaged in it . no hope of reward for increased effort or efficiency and little fear of dismissal for inefficiency. They make a number of technical recommendations and others for increased charges during busy hours if the Postmaster-General " feels that an increase in tariff is worth while." We are sure that it is not. The telephone has beaten the telegraph over short distances and the higher charges would inevitably mean still fewer telegrams.
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