AN EPOCHAL EVENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 10

AN EPOCHAL EVENT.

The inauguration of the beam wireless system of communication between England and Australia has proved a convincing success. The thrills of those sharing the experiences of this initial trial can be well understood. It is doubtful whether, in the realm of communications, there has been so impressive and exciting an event since the day that messages were first exchanged by means of the transatlantic cable. That the new system will prove of great practical service goes almost without saying. Mr. Amery's comment on its acceleration of Empire communications is significant of much. The forging of this link could not have come at a raor? opportune time. Probably, the gain to be enjoyed by the Commonwealth will expedite the installing of similar stations elsewhere in the Empire's oversea territories. Our own Govern ment's hesitancy to commit itself to a particular type of installation has been justified by doubts as to which form of transmission was the better The success of the Commonwealth installation provides now n welcome basis for decision, and action should not be much longer delayed. At least there is proof that this type is thoroughlj' workable. The prospect of cheaper communications is enhanced by this achievement, and through this should come a more intimate mutual acquaintance of the Empire's peoples. Another blow has been struck, in the process of perfecting communications, at the notion that the severance of groups of British folk by vast interspaces must lead, of necessity, to their falling apart into separate national unite. It is not too much to. say that a new era is heralded by these gratifying initial tests.