RADIO-CABLE DISPUTE.

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1928, Page 5

RADIO-CABLE DISPUTE.

STATE INTERVENES. Co-operation Advocated. LONDON, January 15. Jii view of its Imperial importance, the Cabinet has taken over the Cable Conference, completely disassociating the Post Office, which is now placed in the same category as the Pacific, Eastern, and Marconi’s, each of which is submitting to the conference an elab orated statement of its policy, finances, equipment and service capacities. Cabinet has nominated Sir J. Gilmour as British representative instead of Sir W. Mitchell Thompson, and suggests that Sir J. Gilmour be appointed chairman, subject to the approval of the conference, because he is disassociated from both cables and wireless. The conference meets on Monday. While there is apparently a definite move towards some plan of co-opera-tion, there is reason to believe that the desirability of maintaining an incentive to improve the services, and give the public the best and cheapest possible service will not be overlooked. LONDON TIMES COMMENT. (Received January 16 at 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, January 16. “The Times,” in a leader on the ; cables and wireless, says: “The conference will certainly bo expected to consider how best to secure the cheapest and most efficient service, enabling full freedom to exploit further inventions. Beam, despite its rapid progress, is still in the youthful stage. There are also strategic considerations, and the incalculable benefits which cheap, swift and sure transmission confers on the community, depending for its livelihood on Imperial and foreign trade. Beam has made inroads in the cables profits, and driven some directors to abandon their assumed indifference. The new invention seems to give a definite prospect of their services becoming complimentary, and not competitive. Their relative values will inevitably be modified, and cables may become an auxiliary to wireless. At present, cables are probably generally quicker and surer, and their usefulness is not ended, owing to their secrecy 1 and greater immunity from interference. The British Government must retain control of the cables in view of possible emergencies. Nevertheless, wireless is overhauling cables, owing to the cheapness, and possibility of the facsimile transmission, enabling a London newspaper to be read withinl an hour or two in Australia, and ?lso assisting growth of the telegraph habit. Rate cutting might be advantageous to the public, but progressive collaboration will probably serve their interests best. Any public misgiving regarding amalgamation arises from fear of a monopoly artificially maintaining its rates. Government control will check enterprise and hamper invention. Telegraphic communications, like a water sujiply. should only cost the public sufficient to ensure a moderate return for the invested capital. The position demands temporary regularisation rather i than permanent standardisation- Such might compromise the future. To-dav. ladio and telegraphy promises a service yet swifter, surer and more uni_ versal, of which the public will not I easily consent to be cheated.”