SAVING OF LIFE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19480, 29 November 1928, Page 11

SAVING OF LIFE.

WIRELESS FACILITIES. PROVISION ON BOARD SHIPS. (SBITISE OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received November 28th, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, November 27. In the House of Commons, Sir R. J. Thomas (Liberal) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to affording wireless operators on board ships a chance of saving their own Jives when the ships had to be abandoned, he would order investigations to devise means whereby wireless apparatus could be set to tap out automatically the 5.0.6. signal and latitude and longitude of the vessel. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister stated in reply that lie was advised there would probably be no difficulty in devising such an instrument, but he thought that in the ordinary way it would be of very liliie use, as it would be in operation for a very short time, it would have no provision for replying to messages from ships, coming to the rescue. Wireless operators had behaved with tremendous gallantry, and, by remaining at their posts, had not merely sent out 5.0.5., signals but had received messages from ships coming to the rescue. His Department would be glad, at any time, to discuss the value of any automatic apparatus, but the difficulties must be borne in mind. Asked whether he would consider making it compulsory that every passenger boat should carry at least one motor lifeboat, equipped with wireless and wireless receiver, Sir Philip replied that these questions would bo considered at the International Conference on the safety of life at sea, which would ta-ke place nest spring.