VITAL IMPORTANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 143, 21 June 1927, Page 9

VITAL IMPORTANCE

CABLES TOO VULNERABLE

AUSTRALIA'S POSITION

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Deceived 21st June, 11 a.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day.

At IU Wireless Commission, Mr. E. T. Fisk, Amalgamated Wireless, said that for the cost of one super-power station in Australia, estimated at £700,000, six or seven beam stations could be erected. He believed that super-power stations, as known to-day, were obsolete. Beam stations, at little extra cost, could be fitted with nondirectional antennae, which could be so arranged that they could be switched over in less than a minute, and would then be able to comnmnieate in every direction.

Speaking of direction-finding apparatus, Air. Fisk said that during the war it was by means of this apparatus that the Admiralty discovered that the German fleet was putting to sea, and Admiral Jelilcoe was advised, and the Battle of Jutland resulted.

Replying to Commander Cvesswell, representing the Navy, Mr. Fisk said that if only cable services were relied on it was only necessary to cut the overland telegraph lines between Perth and Adelaide and to cut the cables to isolate Australia. With Australia's long coast line and small population it would not bo difficult for enemy agents i nthe country or landing parties to destroy the telegraph routes at several points, and cable landing station on the coast could bo subjected to bombardment.