WIRELESS STATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1077, 25 July 1924, Page 5

WIRELESS STATIONS.

BRITISH ARRANGEMENTS

LONDON, July 23. In the House of Commons, Mr Hartshorn announced that the Government had decided to adopt the main recommendations of tho Donald Imperial Wireless Committee. When asked about the cost, Mr Hartshorn said that Signor Marconi could erect a station for the Government at cost price, plus 10 per cent, os the contractor’s profit. The maximum had been fixed at £48,000. If additional units were required for Australia and South Africa they would cost a maximum of £36,000 Nothing would be paid bv the Government unless the tests were satisfactory. The contracts would not be valid unless they were approved by tho House of Commons, and therefore there would he an opportunity for discussion. Mr Hartshorn added that the Government would only accept and pay for the installations if they fulfilled certain minimum guarantees. These required communication at the rate of ICO words per minute for the following average number of hours daily throughout the year: With Canada, 18 hours; with South Africa, 11 hours; with India, 12 hours; with Australia, 7 hours. Communication would only take place during the hours of darkness, and one or two hours before and after twilight. The proposed stations generally were only suitable for deferred traffic. t A high-power station similar to that being erected at Rugby was still necessary for long-distance communication at all hours, which the Government regarded as essential for strategic and other reasons. The Governments of India and New Zealand had stated that a station of the new type would not meet their requirements. The Government of India was awaiting replies to its invitation to form an Indian company to erect a high-power station in India. The Governments of Australia and South Africa had not reached a final decision, but it was understood that they were disposed to allow as a trial the erection of beam stations in Australia and ■South Africa for communication with Britain.. Ilis Majesty’s Government had undertaken to provide corresponding installations in Britain.

On being asked if this meant that- Australia and South Africa were abandoning their intention to erect high-power stations, Mr Hartshorn said that, it appeared to be their general altitude, at least until they had given this thing a trial.—Reuter.