IMPERIAL WIRELESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18342, 7 March 1923, Page 8

IMPERIAL WIRELESS.

The decision of the British Government in regard to the vitally important question of wireless communication throughout the Empire is based upon an entirely new view of the matter. Twelve years ago, Mr. Godfrey Isaacs, on behalf of the Marconi Company, offered to establish a wireless scheme throughout the Empire. The Government of that day decided that control must be in the hands of the Government, and for twelve years the project has remained in the hands of the Government, while in other countries private enterprise has developed wireless services that encompass the globe. Action has been delayed by discussion over the merits of private and State control, schemes have been drafted, modified and forgotten. In the meantime, the science of wireless has been so far advanced that there is no longer any question whether the links in the Empire chain shall be 2000 or 4000 miles: now there is no doubt that adequate stations in Britain and in each of the Dominions could communicate directly with any part of the world. In fact, last July, Mr. Kelleway, then PostmasterGeneral, announced that the Government had decided to make immediate provision for the establishment of a station in England capable of direct communication with India, South Africa, and Australia. That decision, which evidently involved Government control, has been reviewed by the present Government, and has been modified in important respects. There is to be a station of Empire range, wholly operated by the State, but its chief purpose is to act as a strategic safeguard of the national security. The door is to be opened to private enterprise by the issue of licenses for the erection of stations for direct communication with the Dominions and with foreign countries. Canada, Australia, and South Africa have all made arrangements with the Marconi Company for the erection and working of high power stations in their Dominions, and the Government's decision now permits the establishment of reciprocal stations in England. There have been so many decisions in the past that Mr. Bonar Law's statement might not carry conviction, but it seems to answer the test suggested by Mr. Hughes that it is "a scheme which will get itself done."