BRITAIN LAGS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2776, 18 October 1923, Page 5

BRITAIN LAGS.

IN WORLD WIRELESS RACE. DEADLOCK REACHED REGARDING CONTROL., Australia solves problem. [By Electric Cable--Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, October IG. The Empire Press Union resolved to deputationisd the Imperial Conference In' reference to wireless. Sir Robert Donald, presiding, stated that the deadlock between the Post Olllce and the Marconi Company had resulted in America, France and Holand practically controlling international wireless. Britain was now clean put of it, and even Russia and Czechoslovakia were in advance of Britain. Lord Burnham said Britain’s position In reference to wireless was deplorable. The United States had monopolised the China services and the Continental nations had monopolised those of other countries, notably In the Far East. The British Post Office would neither allow private enterprise to proceed nor do the work itself. The only remaining hope was to enlist the co-operation of the Dominions’”Premiers and- to force the hands of -the British Government. “It is understood that the cause of the deadlock was that the Post Office insisted on sole control, while denying the Marconi Company any participation, although it was financially liable. It is quite legitimate for the Government to reserve the right to control resumption, but it is essential that; it should not be incompatible with private enterprise. Mr J, O. Fairfax, of the "Sydney Morning Herald,” said Australia had solved the problem by amicable arrangement between the Commonwealth and the Amalgamated Company. If it was practicable in Australia, surely it was practicable in Britain. Duijttig his travels he laid been ashamed at the humiliating position of Britishers in receiving the world's news through foreign wireless.

SPEEDING UP MAILS. CABLE EFFICIENCY. (Received Wednesday, 10.10 p.m ) LONDON, Oct. 10. The afternoon session of the Conference heard a statement by the Post. niastcr-General, dealing with the unsatisfactory situation of Imperial mail, cable, and wireless communications. It was resolved firstly, that the representatives of the Dominions and India should be associated with the Imperial Communications Committee, which hitherto has been purely British, and, secondly, that all support should bo accorded fo British companies in connection with Empire wireless concessions

Sir 1.. Worthington Evans announces that the Government had turned down a proposal to, revert to the Italian port of transhipment of Eastern .Mails, on the ground that it was doubtful whether the step would result in any acceleration, or, alternatively, that any acceleration would be insufficient to compensate for the very heavy additional cost. H 6 paid tribute to the ira. provemeut of the Eastern Cable ser. vices by which pre-war efficiency is now restored. All important destinations in India and Australia would be able to be reached on an average of three or four hours.

Mr Massey, in complaining of mail delays between New Zealand and England and vice versa, said lie recently accomplished the journey in twenty sevfcn and a-half travelling days, whereas the mails rarely arrived under thirty.five and often forty days. He believed the delay was caused chiefly at the points of connection. Mr Massey was asked to. confer with the British Postmaster General. The Imperial Conference will discuss naval defence to-morrow.