WIRELESS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16491, 5 March 1914, Page 8

WIRELESS.

NEWS MESSAGES FOR STEAMERS.

STATEMENT BY THE POST-MASTER-GENERAL. [Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, March 6. A statement- was published locally on Monday to tho effect that the Federal Postmaster-General was arranging to send ships within wireless range of the Commonwealth land stations a daily budget of 400 words of news at a cost of £24 per ship per annum. The statement further said Mr Wynne had ordered a reduction to 6d a word for messages to all ships in Australasia. This was referred to an official connected with the wireless telegraphy, and he explained that Mr vVynne on his own responsibility or indeed on behalf of the Australian Government, could “order” nothing. Before any arrangement could be arrived at tho Marconi Company, or rather the Amalgamated Wireless Company of Australasia, Ltd., would-have to'be consulted. The matter of passengers on ships having a daily supply of the world’s n-ews was referred to the PostmasterGeneral. “The reduction to 6d per word mentioned in the announcement,” said Mr Rhodes, “ would seem to indicate either that the Australian Government has not fallen in with the reduction to od agreed to by New Zealand, or that, it is not prepared to be anything like so liberal to the public as it would appear they are prepared to be to the Press. The basis of charge as set out i@ an unworkable one. A fixed rate per steamer would be very unfair to steamers which were less frequently in wireless range. Some steamers performing regular intercolonial services are seldom out of wireless range, while other steamers are only in wireless range two or three days per month. Most of the intercolonial vessels between New Zealand and Australia are within wireless range of New Zealand on an average about eight days per month, and in order that the present rate snould be collected a charge of say £IOO a year per vessel would be necessary. If such a scheme were contemplated by the New Zealand Government the charge would have to be based upon the nunlber of days on which the messages were received. The present rate for wireless _ Press messages, 5s per 100 words, is an exceedingly low one, and unless it is tfye policy of the Government to expend the moneys of the State to a still greater degree on the circulation of news, I do not think the rate should be in any way lowered. At our present rate a 400-word Press message would cost £1 only, and as vessels are within wireless range of New Zealand coming and going about two days the average cost of news would be about £2 on each trip. There is another phase of the question to be considered; There are usually six or more vessels within range at one time and the sending of 400 words of Press matter to every one of these vessels would fairly block tho transmission of private'or other messages, particularly with outgoing boats which were gradually getting out of range.’ *