CABLES AND WIRELESS

Evening Star, Issue 19764, 14 January 1928, Page 5

CABLES AND WIRELESS

COMBINE SUGGESTED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 12. (Received January 14, at 1 a.m.) In the ‘Financial Times,’ a writer hints at a possible solution by the forming of a company covering both wireless and cable interests. He suggests that if the two systems were under one direction either could be used so that the traffic could be directed in the quickest and most economical way, while the saving in working costs might be £1,000,000 annually. COMPETITION WELCOMED. RATE REDUCTION LONG NEEDED. LONDON, January 13. (Received January 14, at 8.40 a.m.) Sir Charles Bright, consulting engineer, who has been engaged on a number of cable-laying expeditions, and who reported to the Colonial Office on the Pacific cable scheme in 1897, in an article in the ‘ Evening Standard ’ likens the cable scare of beam wireless competition to the gas shareholders when electric supply was initiated. He points out that the Governments in the early days heavily subsidised th 6 cable companies. For instance, Australia paid the Eastern Company £32,400 yearly from 1879 to 1899. Surely it was partly with an eye to future <ompetitiou that the cable companies have built up large reserves. Experience has shown that cable company amalgamations and working agreement have not been advantageous to the public, lending to keep up the rates. What is needed, especially from an interimperial trade standpoint, is more British cables offering alternative routes, and noro wireless stations actually competing with the cables. Thus we should secure a reduction in rates which has e?en long_ needed in the interests of the public, and a more effective Press service between jfche Mother Country and the dominions.