WIRELESS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18970, 7 April 1927, Page 9

WIRELESS.

RESTRICTIONS DEPRECATED MR J. E. STRACHANCS VIEWS. . A protest against the regulations restricting the operations of wireless enthusiasts in the Dominion was made by Mr J. E. Strachan, president of the Canterbury Progress League, in the course of an address given by him in the Chamber of Commerce last night. The lectuier traced the progress ot wireless from the time it was toreshadowed by Clerk Maxwell, in 1800, uo to the present stage of its development In 1896, he said, Marconi took out his patent foi wireless and the following yea» Sir Olver Lodge discovered how to tune m. Wireless telegraphy to-day owed a lot to Marconi, who wat. an admirable business man, but he was generally given credit tor more than he deserved in the development of wireless science. ~,-., , Mr Strachan gave technical details ot a wireless set, and stated that in the first experiments short waves were used, Hertz subsequently discovering that short waves could be projected m a beam by the use of a paraboho reflector behind them. Some time later Marconi discovered the curious laci; that waves could be made to go over n. hill and round the curve of the earth. Further experiments were carried out, and it was dne to the investigations ot amateurs, that so much was known today concerning the 40 metres band. _ The history of civilisation, he said, was the history of communication-—the ability of the human animal to convey his thoughts to another, and this it was which was the secret of onr rise above the brute level.. The cost of a wireless apparatus was so small that n would not prevent an operator from communioating with people in other countries, but he was unable to do so because of the Government regulations obtaining in New Zealand. A proper understanding between the various countries of the world, which was now possible, would, he felt sure, do much to clear up misunderstandings and prevent wars. The day had come when one could converse with people in Russia, China, and other countries oi the world. Were it not for official control, this could be done. _ . Although it was allowable in certain countries to speak freely over the air, a New Zealander was prevented from doing more than wishing a foreign operator good morning or giving mm a friendlv greeting. Persona ly, he believed 'the regulations in this respect were ultra-vires. Why should not the Chamber of Commerce, for instance, be able to communicate with a simihvbody if it wanted to. and why not the YM.C.A.P The present age was iu» of promise, and he believed that world could he brought closer tfiMther than ever before through the *nedium of wireless, provided that free intercourse were allowed. What should be aimed at was freedom of young people to form friendships all over the worldIn moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Strachan for his interesting address, the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that fullv 90 per cent, of the people engaged in the Great War believed that they were fighting a war ot defence, whereas the free use of wireless would have enabled them to learn the truth. , , Mr E. J. Howard. M.P., in seconding the motion, which was carried, trusted that in the near future Mr Strachan would be able to give a further address on the mechanical side or i wireless. . ~ In agreeing to the proposal, mt Strachan said that to do so satisfactorily he would need a set for demonstration purposes, and for this he would require a permit from the authorities, as it would have to be removed from one building to another