CABLE AND WIRELESS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 186, 6 July 1928, Page 8

CABLE AND WIRELESS

3 P.M. EDITION

REPORT OF CONFERENCE. UNOFFICIAL FORECAST. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association—United Service.) Received July 6, 12.50 p.m. LONDON, July 5. According to an unofficial forecast the report of the conference on Empire Communications recommends a combination of all cable and wireless communications throughout the Empire. It also recommends a plan which, it is believed, will secure uniformity of control and safeguard the interests of the State and public and provide for future developments. It is proposed that one corporation shall operate both wireless and cable traffic, the Government having representation thereon and hold the balance between the wireless and cable interests. The corporation will include the following properties: Eastern and Associated Companies, Marconi and Associated Companies, Pacific Cable Board, the British Post Office beam stations and Atlantic cables, which will be leased to the new corporation. There will be a division between purely traffic operations and non-im-perial interests, as it is felt that the Government could not participate in manufacturing or extraneous undertakings. Thero will thus be two companies with, in addition, authority to advise on rates charged and the expenditure of new capital. An important proviso stipulates that the operating corporation will be entitled to a fair standard of dividend, whereafter the profits will be, equally divided between the State and the corporation. It is understood that a profit-sharing arrangement satisfies from the viewpoint of the British Treasury, which favoured a sliding scale, enabling a reduction of tolls, as the profits increase, and at the same time giving the company every encouragement to maintain efficiency. Details of the report have already been transmitted to the respective Governments with a view to immediate consideration. It is hoped that the Dominions’ replies will be received in time to reach finality before the rising of the House of Commons early in August.