WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 24 October 1912, Page 5

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY

[By Telegraph—Special to Stak.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 23. In reply to a question by Mr Wilkinson (Egmont), Mr It. H. Rhodes (Post-master-General) stated that the existing legislation appears to fully meet the case under the International Radio Telegraphic Convention, which has just been signed. It is left to the different administrations to place ships in three classes, and to provide emergency power installations. The license of every wireless operator reaching New Zealand on ships registered in the dominion is demanded for inspection,, and if it cannot be produced the operator must undergo an examination in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. The matter of wages appears to be governed by the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, which enacts that all seamen (and this term includes all persons employed on a ship except masters and apprentices) who are engaged in New Zealand, or having been engaged abroad, are employed in New Zealand, shall be paid the current rate of wages for the time ruling in the dominion for the class of work for which they are employed. The Marine Department has no power to interfere in regard to the accommodation for wireless operators on board ship. Their status in relation to the ships' officers can be defined only by amending the Shipping and Seamen Act. The Minister adds that if Mr Wilkinson has any reason to suppose that wireless operators are not provided with suitable accommodation, the Government would be glad to have particulars.

In commenting on this answer today, Mr Wilkinson stated that some wireless operators received as little as £4 a month for work on steamers He considered that they ehould receive higher pay, and that a system of examination should be instituted to ensure that only capable men were employed. A news supply for ships approaching New Zealand should also be considered by the Postmaster-General.