High Power Wireless

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 235, 16 September 1922, Page 5

High Power Wireless

FOR WORLD COMMUNICATIONS. GREAT IMPORTANCE TO N.Z. STATEMENT BY POSTMASTER GENERAL. (Special to “Tribune/’) Parlt. Bldgs., Sept. J 6. New Zealand is now considering the establishment in the Dominion of a high-power wireless station, which would be capable of communicating with all parts of the world This announcement was made in the House by the Postmaster-General. The Hon. J. G. Coates stated that a good deal of information had been collected already, but the policy had not yet been definitely decided. The Government might proceed in two ways. It could become a partner in the suggested Imperial wireless chain, and under that scheme news would be transmitted to and from Australia. As negotiations were still proceeding ,he could not go into great detail at the present stage. The other way was for the Government to undertake construction of a highpower station, which could communicate with every country in the world. Members would quite understand what that would mean. A Member: Would it interfere with the cable system? The Postmaster-Genera! said he was not able to say. Ordinary cables were now almost sufficient to keep the lines' fully occupied, and week-end.cables and deferred messages were subject' to great delay. At the present time very few press cable were commg through, and if a high-power station were established it would mean a great deal to the press of New Zealand, for papers would be able to secure direct information from any country in the world. Mr. Reed: What would be the cost of a high-power station? The Postmaster-General: It would be constructed for £lBO,OOO, say £200,000, and it could be thoroughly equipped on the most modem lines for £400,000. Mr. Lysnar: It’s worth it. The Postmaster-Genera!: We are anxious to do the right thing, and we will be very careful before we decide upon a definite policy. We may find it better to work in with Australia in the Imperial chain. The whole matter is of the greatest importance to New Zealand.