COMMUNICATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11655, 20 October 1923, Page 5

COMMUNICATIONS

NEEDS OF DOMINIONS MR BRUCE PRESSES FOR FASTER SERVICES ALL ROUND. SPEECHES PUBLISHED. By Telegraph.—P**®*s Assn. —Copyright. Australian rdH V.Z. Coble Association. (Received October 19, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, October 18. Consequent on Mr Stanley Bruce’s protest against the non-issuing of tho speeches made at the Conference on Imperial communications other than that of Sir L. Worthington Evans, the Conference authorities to-night issued the suppressed speeches. Mr Bruce .'■aid that Australia, being the farthest away of all the dominions, attached the greatest importance* to improved communications. . It was for her to <=ce that either by herself or with the co-operation of the British Government or other parts of the Empire that communication was improved. He would not say much at this stage in regard to the mails, beyond saying that Australia and New Zealand were not satisfied that tho present services met their circumstances, or were all that they required. They recognised, as far as the shipping side was concerned, that more frequent mail services could be established only at a prohibitive cost, but he was hopeful they would be able to get a weekly service in the not distant future. TIME OF TRANSIT. “With regard to the time of transit, which was probably a more important factor, the position was not satisfactory. It takes twenty-nine days now, when once upon a time it used to take twenty-eight. There is one solution that would help, that is, an airship mail service to Egypt. Australia is very anxious to see that brought about. We want increased and accelerated services, and we roughly know what axe practical possibilities. ’ ’ On the question, of cables, Mr Bruce said it was vital that Australia should* have the closest touch with Britain and the ether dominions commercially. Australia desired a reliable cable service. All would support the establishment of an all-British cable. They were awaiting a clearer indication of wireless development, but if this failed to meet the circumstances to the extent anticipated they would favour the Pacific Board’e amplification of their present cable system. He also recognised that a reduction in rates would obviously be of advantage t-o Australia. He 'foreshadowed a reduction in the terminal rate by a penny a word, and declared: “If we are coming to a reduction at all we will certainly come down by a penny.” He believed in the lowest possible rate between Australia and Britain. Dealing with the question of wireless, Mr Bruce explained Australia’?* arrangements with the Amalgamated Wireless Company, and asked Sir L. Worthington Evans to explain how 1 - the negotiations with the Marconi Company came to break down. HISTORY OF NEGOTIATIONS. Sir L. Worthington Evans seated that in July last the Marconi Company agreed'with the Government that the * Government should erect one station, and the company two; and that the traffic should be pooled, and worked from the Post Office through either if the three stations, so that one station might lx* alloted to Australia should tho traffic require it. The Marccni Company wanted the whole, of the work done through Marconi House, including that of the Government station. This the Government declined, because it wanted to do tne routing work itself. Mr Marconi in September declared he could not find tho capital for such an arrangement, and was not prepared, therefore, to complete the agreement. The breakdown m arrangements was practically confined to the question of routing messages. What Air Marconi was now asking was that they should have a license to communicate over the world, irrespective of the Government station. The Government could not agree. That was not private enterprise. It was private enterprise excluding Government enterprise. RIVALRY IN PACIFIC. Air Bruce said Australia must have reciprocal stations with England, but he would discuss that matter privately with the Postmaster-General before taking further action. They would probably have, competitors in the Pacific wireless traffic, but if Australia was enabled to go forward it probably would ensure the Empire’s predominance in wireless in tho Pacific. Sir L. W'orthington Evans said Mr Bruce could rely on the Government not to stand in the way, but to help in any way it could. Air li. C. M. S. Amery interposed: “We have blessed the proposal of the Amalgamated Wireless for erecting a chain of Pacific stations. Generally speaking, we are entirely of the same view a/= Air Bruce.” Air Massey said the postal service was jiot equal to that of before the war. He believed- Panama would eventually be the quickest route to New Zealand. Not much had been done towards establishing inter-ocean wireless stations, and New Zealand had not decided on a wireless policy, but he did not anticipate any difficulty in arranging for an inter-oceanic station.