THE USE OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 223, 20 September 1907, Page 6

THE USE OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

There is a general feeling that some steps should be taken to have steam- \ ers trading between New, Zealand and ; Australia equipped with wireless tele- j graphy, and an opinion expressed by the Lyttelton Times recently that the Government' should give some en- ; couragement to the shipping own-, panics in this direction, receives general endorsement. Up to the present time, apparently, very little has been done- to have vessels adequately equipped with wireless .telegraphy. The principal difficulty seems to .be the enormous expense, mainly en account- of patent rights, and also en account of the absence of shore stations. It as thought, however, that before very many years have passed away, wireless telegraphy will be a part of the equipment of every intercolonial steamer, and that the oceangoing- .steamers will fall into lino with modern ideas in this respect later on.. At-present there is no movement to bring about this end. No active steps have been taken by' the,companies,.™ and the Christchurch agent of one ci the large shipping companies says ho hardly thinks that the Monowars! accident will lead to anything definite being done, although it is fully re-: cognised in shipping circles that a; scheme for taking full advantage of : recent discoveries in regard to sending messages at sea by means of wire- j less telegraphy will be elaborated before very long, iCaptain Walker, Marconi's repre- j sentative, Kad a long interview with the managing director of the Union Company when he was in New Zealand about twelve months ago, and it is understood, placed definite proposals before him, but apparently the overtures did not lead to any definite steps* being talien. It is thought, however, that the recent accident will hasten the completion of any arrangements that have been entered into between the Union Company and the Marconi Company. It is probable that if-'the Union Company's vessels are supplied with, the apparatus, which is.very expensive, there will be an increase in the fares. That, however, is a matter that will be decided fey the directors of .the. company.