WIRELESS AND CABLES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 82, 17 January 1928, Page 5

WIRELESS AND CABLES

CONFERENCE POSSIBILITIES. OPINIONS OF “THE TIMES.” (Per Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, January 16. “The Times,” in a leading article on cables and wireless, says: “The conference will certainly be expected to consider how best to secure the cheapest and most efficient service, enabling full freedom to exploit further inventions. Beam wireless, despite its rapid progress, is still in its youthful stage. There are also strategic consideration of incalculable benefits which cheap, swift, sure transmission confers on a community depending for its livelihood on Imperial and foreign trade. “The beam system’s inroads on the cable combine’s profits have driven some directors to abandon their assumed indifference to the new inventions. There seems to be a definite prospect of their sendees becoming complementary and not competitive. Relative values will inevitably be modified and the cables may become auxiliary to the wireless.

“At present the cables are probably generally quicker and surer. Their usefulness is not ended, owing to their secrecy and greater immunity from interference. British Governments must retain control of the cables in view of possible emergencies. Neveitheless, wireless is overhauling the cables owing to its cheapness and the possibility of facsimile transmission enabling a London newspaper to be read within an hour or two in Australia. It is also assisting in the growth of the telegraph habit.

“Rate-cutting mighr be advantageous to the public but progressive collaboration will probably serve its interests best. Any public misgiving regarding amalgamation arises from the fear of a monopoly which might artificially maintain rates. Government control would check enterprise and hamper invention. Telegraphic communications are like a water supply and should only cost the public sufficient to ensure a moderate return for invested capital. The position demands temporary regularisation rather than permanent standardisation, which might compromise future development. To-day wireless telegraphy promises a service swifter, surer, and more universal than the cables, of which the public will not easily consent to bo cheated.”