CABLES AND WIRELESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 December 1928, Page 5

CABLES AND WIRELESS

ALLEGATIONS IN COMMONS

(Australian Press Assn. —United Service* (By Gable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

(Recd. Dec- 7, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 6. In the Commons, Mr Baldwin informed Mi- Malone that the Imperial Defence Committee had examined the Imperial Wireless Conference’s report, which accorded with its views in respect to defence. Viscount Wolmer informed Mr Walter Baker that the contract would contain a clause ensuring that none of the existing cables and wireless systems would be allowed to depreciate, as they are of national interest, in the event of an emergency. In the committee stage of the Imperial Telegraphs Bill, Mr Baker moved an amendment disallowing the Government’s approving of the sale price of tjie Pacific cable, with the object of. vesting approval in the Commons- He pointed out that 3 per cent interest on outstanding debt was cheaper than the Communications Company could borrow in the open market. It was virtually a large gift to them. Cables which cost £7,134,000, were being handed over for £2,500,000. (Labour cries, “Shame !” Even at the present market price, which was the result of the most terrible manipulation, the value of the Marconi undertaking was not equal to the seventeen

millions the Government proposed t< let *it have? The Government shoulc insist on the Marconi value being the value of the shares prior* to the boom, which was the result of informatior obtained from the Imperial Confer dice. Mr Weldick said it was nothing bui daylight robbery. The companies came <in ’to save their skins, and not onlj did so, but skinned the Governmeni and the people. Mr Samuel said that oppositionists overlooked the fact that'Britain was not the predominant partner in the State-owned cables. The Dominions held thirteen-eighteenths of the Pacific cable. ‘ Britain could not brush aside the wishes of partners holding controlling interests. Mr Amery, replying tp Mr Ammon, admitted the Imperial Conferences of 1911 and 1921 committed themselves to the principle of State-owned wireless stations throughout the Empire. At a later conference, the Prime Minister of Australia insisted they must have full power to decide the method in which the Commonwealth should co-operate. Within a few months, Australia showed she did not desire a State-owned system, because it gave licenses to the Australian Amalgamated Wireless Company. Later, the other Dominions committed themselves to private tireless companies. In reply, the - Postmaster-General, said that Mr MacDonald’s statement that the Labour Ministry pushed on the beam system in the teeth of experts’ opposition was a perversion of history. The experts accurately forecasted the effect of the working of the beam system. It was not a matter of one contract. At least five main agreements were needed. It was a new doctrine that the Government should have to get permission of the House for disposal of Government property. Mr Baker had not any right to impute corruption in share dealings due to official leakages. Mr Malone regretted that the Bill did not stipulate the rates should be fivepence a word in the Empire. Mr Amery said that Canada, one of the partners in the Pacific Cable, first suggested in view of wireless competition with the Pacific Cable, that the Impeiral Conference should be called to consider the whole question. The Bil lembodied its unanimous report.

The amendment was negatived by 211 to 128.

MARCONI CONTROL.

LONDON, December 6. The directors of the Marconi International Marine Communications Company, responsible for the wireless equipment of 90 per cent British and 25 per cent of the world’s shipping, are proposing to alter articles to prevent foreigners holding more than a quarter of the company’s shares, ensuring that henceforth only Britishers will become directors.