WONDERS OF WIRELESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 113, 16 May 1927, Page 9

WONDERS OF WIRELESS.

ADDRESS BY MR. J. W.

PRENTICE.

TO AUCKLAND ROTARIANS.

PEEP INTO FUTURE.

The speaker of the day at the weekly lunch meeting of the Auckland Rotary Club to-day was Mr. J. W. Prentice, well-known in connection with the IYA broadcasting station, who spoke on the subject of wireless. There was the usual large-attendance. and Mr. W. Coltman, president, was in. the chair. Amongst many visitors present was Mr. Chas. E. Vaughan (Hull). Humorous vocal items were contributed by Mr. J. Lumsdaine. ■ ■ ~ >; Mr. Prentice emphasised that the achievements of wireless already included the conquest by man of those old obstacles, Time and Space. In this connection the community could look forward confidently to the time, probably not far distant, when speeches of Britain's Prime Minister from London and possibly of His Majesty the King could be heard by listenerS-in in Auckland. But a third result he hoped for was that wireless would have a farreaching effect-in breaking down the barriers at present, existing between the nations of the world. In this connection the function of wireless in its nature, unlike many;other inventions, was constructive, not destructive. •

In regard to the instruments need, Mr. Prentice said that future improvements would probably be in the direction of refinements, and not in any change of mechanical principles. - The Little Mirror. The speaker also referred to the prospecfis of television, and suggested that in future the listener-in by means of a small mirror attached to his apparatus would see as well as hear. Had it been only as an entertainment wireless wonders would miss its chief effect.' It was as an educative factor that it was mainly justifed and in this respect its future seemed to be boundless. It was along these lines that he personally had his interest. When properly utilised wireless would bring to the.country people all the advantages which at present caused people : to flock to the towns, and this would have a vital effect on the rural communities throughout the world. -■ The Question of Control. Dealing with the subject as a public utility, Mr. Prentiss stated that in Great Britain the Government had decided to retain control, and a movement in the United States was in the same direction/ In Australia, too, a Royal Commission was investigating the question of control, and there, too, he felt certain that a central control would; ultimately be virtiijgediv;>.. '■ ' : /.-/:': ■%./:-. In New Zealand there were limitations and circumstance* which operated in regard to broadcasting, but he felt justified in-saying that there certainly was a great future before "wireless in this country and that it would prove a great national benefit. ■■'' ':J,''- ;,:■' --'■')■ ■ ■ \ |fr. A. J. Hutchineon moved a vote of thanks to the speaker, which was carried by. acclamation. .