LINKING THE PACIFIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9115, Issue 9115, 11 January 1910, Page 7

LINKING THE PACIFIC.

BY WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. FULL DETAILS OF THE SCHEME. Further details of the scheme of wireless telegraphy to link together different parts ot the Pacific have been made known by Sir Joseph Ward in the resolutions carried at the Wirclcß6 Telegraph Conference in Melbourne, a condensed report of which appeared in a cable message. The resolutions were: — 1. Th.it high power wireless stations be provided, maintained, and operated at or ne-ir Sydney, Doubtless Bay (New Zealand), and Suva (Fiji). 2. Th.it it isf desirable that a system of wireless telegraphy be established to connect tho groups of islands under British protection with the Commonwealth of Australia, tho Dominion of New Zealand, and headquarters of the High Co.mnissioner for the Western Pacific at Fiji, and that, for that purpose, it ie desirable that in addition to those named in resolution No. 1, wireless stations be established at Tulagi (Solomon Islands), Ocean Island, and Vila (Now Hebrides). 3. That, having heard the representative of the Radio Telegraph Company in regard to his company's proposals, the conference does not feel justified in recommending the Governments | concerned that the concessions asked for be. granted. 4. Thxt it is desirable that any service I of wiraless telegraphy establshed to serve the requirements of the British Western Pacific be established and maintained under direct State control, or through a State agency. 5. That the high-power stations recommended be of such a capacity that the station at Sydney be capable of communicating with Doubtless Bay, and Doubtless Bay capable of communicating with Fiji. That they shall be able to receivo and transmit waves up to 6000 ft, in addition to ordinary commercial waves. 6. That medium-power stations be established at Vila. (New Hebrides), and at Tulagi (Solomon Islands), the cost of tho establishment at these places to be borne two-thirds by the Imperial Government and one-third by the Commonwealth of Australia, the losses on working expenses and other annual charges to be met by the Go»vernmente named in the same ivoportion. The question of co-operation by tho French Government in the establishment of the New Hebrides station to be left for consideration and action by the Imperial Government. 7. Cost of tho establishment of tire high-power station at Fiji to be boriw >'n the following proportions: —Imperial Government, one-third ; Australia, one-fourth; New Zealand, onesixth, Fiji, one-fourth. And that any loss on the working expenses and other annual charges be borne by the respective Governments in the same proportion, subject to an additional contribution being made by the Government of Fiji, if. the station i« used in connection with tho local Fiji system. 3. That a station be established at Ocean Island capable of continuous communication with Fiji, and that 'ts cost be borne in the following proportion: —Imperial Government, twothirds, Commonwealth Government, one-third, Establishment of this station to be subject to the Paoific Phosphates Company gauranteeing the contributors against loss on working expenses and all other annual charges, including sinking fund. 9. That the scheme of wireless telegraphy in the islands of the Western Pacific, as recommended by the conference, be embodied in an agreement to be arrived at by the Governments desiring to take part therein, and that the agreement should provide for . the executive control and management of such work by the High Commissioner and the Government of Fiji. Under the complete scheme, as proposed and outlined in these resolutions, the financial obligations for capital expenditure would be distributed as follows : — £

Imperial Government for stations at Suva, Ocean Island, New Hebrides, and Solomon Islands 21,332 Commonwealth Government for same stations ... , 11,666 Fiji for station at Suva only ... 3,000 New Zealand, for station at Suva only ... 2,000 THI-S PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS. In the course of an interview, the Premier stated that he had always contended for State control of wireless telegraphs. He referred also to the Act of the recent session, which provided for the compulsory wireless equipment of passenger steamers plying off the coa6t of New Zealand. The creation of a wireless system on land would bring this clause of llie Shipping and Semen Act into operation. The- Union Company had already been looking forward to the wireless equipment of their passenger f-teamers, and no doubt this 'ilhor companies would fall in line. Great improvements had been made in the_ wireless systems, which were much in advance of what they were four or five years ago. Personally, ho had been informed by Mr Tesla, of New York, that within a year or so it might be possible to send messages by wireless from New York to New Zealand direct. Tho Premier added that the Government would ©quip its own steamers with wireless apparatus, and that the Post Office would accept messages from intercolonial steamers for delivery in New Zealand.