BRITAIN'S RADIO POLICY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17760, 11 May 1923, Page 7

BRITAIN'S RADIO POLICY.

DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY. POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S PROBLEM. (BT CABLZ— PBES3 ASSOCIATION—COPYMGHT.i (AUSTEALIAK AXO k.z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, May 3. A special correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says Sir William Joynson-Hieks, Postmaster-General, in carrying out the Government's recentlydeclared policy in favour of both Post Office and prin-ate enterprise in providing direct wireless communication with India and the Dominions, is encountering difficulties. Sir William Johnson-Hicks has been conferring with the Marconi "Wireless Telegraph Company, with a view to their co-operation with the Government in conducting an Empire wireless system, but no solution has been reached. The company has contracts for the provision of high-power stations in Britain to communicate with Canada, South Africa, and Australia. These are not variable without the Dominions' consent. Sir "William Joynson-Hieks wants to establish effective competition between the Post Office and private enterprise. A partnership with tho Marconi Company on the Australian plan is ruled out. Anything like a monopoly is beyond discussion. There remain two courses, first —regional division; secondly—centralised control by co-operation. It would not be advantageous to try to separate the Empire from the world's wireless systems. TITe only alternative appears to be co-operation and the centralisation of all wireless. Unless practical decisions are speedily reached wireless telegraphy, instead of being a factor in Empire unity, may become a source of irritation and misunderstanding.