RADIO ON SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21999, 4 January 1935, Page 12

RADIO ON SHIPS

AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT

OPPOSED BY UNIONISTS

Although the general principles of the plan for equipping Australian coastal steamers with automatic radio apparatus were approved by a conference of shipping and _other interests recently, it is likely that maritime unions will not be satisfied.

The proposals were discussed at a meeting of the unions, says the Sydney Morning Herald. Delegates refused to divulge the decision of the meeting, but it is understood that the majority were uncompromisingly opposed to the installation of automatic equipment. The attitude of the union representatives was that ships should bo equipped with standard transmitting and receiving sets, and that a qualified operator should be in charge. If the negotiations prove successful, it is considered that maritime workers will be asked to refuse to work on ships not equipped with what is regarded a satisfactory wireless apparatus. The secretary of the council of marine uuions, Mr.. J. Tudehope, said that the unions would not accept the automatic machine installed in the steamer Bichgrove Park. '"The device is totally inadequate, as it can send messages, but cannot receive them," he added. "Therefore, there is no means of knowing if messages have been received and no way of checking positions."

Mr. Hughe3 outlined the plan to a conference of shipowners and others. The essential provision, he said, was that every inter-State and coastal vessel not already equipped to carry wireless should bo provided with an apparatus of an approved type capable of automatically transmitting messages on a standard wave-length. It would also be necessary to havo a receiver, either independent from or combined with the transmitter. It would be optional with the shipowners to provide, in lieu of the automatic transmitter and receiver, a full two-way telephony or telegraphv installation in the charge of a qualified operator. The conference, it was stated later, asked for time to, discuss the details of the application of the plan. There was also in the minds of the representatives the question of what attitude would be adopted by the maritime unions; nnd until this was determined it was suggested that the installation of equipment should be delayed. The conference agreed on the need for adequate wireless equipment on all seagoing vessel*.