Empire Wireless

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 32, 20 January 1923, Page 4

Empire Wireless

BRITISH SCHEME INADEQUATE.

INDUSTRIES’ FEDERATION’S RE PRESENTATIONS.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE FAVOURED.

(By (Jabl**.—Press Association,—-Copyright !

(Received 20. 9.40 a.m.) London, Jan. 19.

Tile Federation of British Industries adopted a resolution urging the Government immediately to grant facilities for the rapid development ol long distance wireless, being strongly of opinion that this would be Is-st accomplished by private enterprise. The Federation points out that the Dominions favour private enterprise. Wireless experts call attention to the fact that the Post Office’s schemes include the erection of only one station considerably less powerful than the Dominions’ for traffic with the whole Empire. The facilities for transmission from Britain would thug be totally inadequate, and the station would not b« sufficiently strong to counter atmospheric difficulties The wireless industry is prepared to undertake the whole work and provide the large capital necessary, while the Post Office will be able to possess the stations in an emergency. Thus the State would have all the. advantages and none of the disadvantages of a nationalised schema

The Federation insists upon an immediate definite decision regarding the future of wireless* in Britain, and points out that other countries have developed wireless facilities far in advance of Britain. It would be a disaster if the wireless industry were compelled to go abroad owing to official inertia.—(A. and N.Z.f CABLE OR WIRELESS? PACIFIC CABLE BOARD’S DECISION. AUSTRALIAN MEMBERS DISSATISFIED. (Received 20. 9.40 a.m.) London, Jan. 19. There is dissension among the mem bers of the Pacific Cable Board regarding the advisability of erecting an experimental wirelesa station at Fiji in lieu of duplication of the cable from Fiji to Vancouver. Sir James Allen, with the majority of the Board, favours the erection of the station, being of opinion that it would be a valuable insurance against complete interruption of tile service in the event of the breaking of the cable. It would be preferable to duplication or relaying, which must be undertaken sooner oi later besides facilitating the despatch of messages. Sir Joseph Cook and Sir T. A. Coghlan strongly oppose the prbposal. believing that the station if made permanent, is Opposed to economy, involving the stationing of a costly staff at the Islands, and repetition of messages at Sydney, thereby ocasiouing delay and substantial increase in costs.

Sir Joseph Cook aiid Sir T. A. Coghlan prefer direct wireless with Australia and New Zealand, thus obviating the objections raised. The matter waa discussed at the last meeting of the Board, wfiich did not alter the substance of the previous decision to proceed with the Fiji scheme, which is purely experimental.—(A. and N.Z.)

In October last the Pacific Cable Board decided for a period of six to twelve months to make wireless tests across the Pacific with a view to the possibility of erecting powerful wireh-ss stations in lieu of a duplication of the cable from Fiji to Vancouver. The Board also decided to take up a considerable length of the shore end of the cable at Bamfield. also tho Bam-field-Victoria cable, with a view tn expediting transmission in accordance with |he requirements of traffic.