WIRELESS AND CABLES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1928, Page 9

WIRELESS AND CABLES

A SINGLE CORPORATION ALL COMMUNICATIONS United Press Association—By Electric Tclagraph—Copyright Australian Pres3 Association —United Service. ■ (Eeceived 6th July, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, sth July. According to an unofficial1 forecastthe conference on Empire communications in its report recommends a combination of all cable and wireless communications throughout the Empire. It recommends a plun which, it is believed, will socurc "uniformity of control, safeguard the interests of the State and the public, .and provide for future developments." It is proposed that one corporation shall operate both wireless and cable traffic. The Government will have representation on this, and will hold the balance between th wireless and cable interests. The corporation will include the following properties:— Tho Eastern and Associated Companies, the Marconi and Associated Companies, the Pacific Cable Board, the British Post Office beam stations and the A.tlantic cables, which will be leased to a new corporation. There will be a division between purely traffic operations and non-Im-perial interests as it is felt that the Government could not participate in manufacturing or extraneous undertakings. There will thus bo two companies with, in addition, an authority to advise on rates and the expenditure of new capital. An important proviso stipulates that tho operating - corporation will be entitled to a fair standard dividend, when the profits will be equally divided between the State and corporation. It is understood that this profit-Bharing arrangement, satisfies the viewpoint of the British Treasury, which favoured a sliding scale, enabling tho reduction of tolls as profits increase, at the same time giving the company every encouragement to maintain.efficiency.; , : Details of, the report have already been transmitted to the respective Governments, with a view to immediate consideration, thus avoiding the delay by mail. It is hoped that the Dominions' replies will be received in time to reach finality before the rising of the House of Commons early in August.