CABLES AND WIRELESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20316, 26 January 1928, Page 8

CABLES AND WIRELESS.

While the proprietors of the cable services are not relishing the competition that is confronting them through the rapid development in long-distance wireless telegraphy, the reasons why the maintenance of this element of competition may be regarded as desirable, as emphasised in a memorandum from the Empire Press Union to the Wireless Conference, are not at all obscure. It is in the interest of the public that long-distance communication should be as rapid, as efficient, and as cheap as possible. This end is likely to be best secured through the existence of rivalry between the enterprises by which the means of communication are provided. It was recently observed by Sir Charles Bright, who speaks with some authority on such a subject, that cable company amalgamations and working agreements had not been advantageous to the public, as they tended to keep up the rates. What is needed, especially'from an inter-Imperial trade standpoint," is, he held, more British cables offering alternative routes, and more wireless stations actually competing with the cables. To the breadth of outlook indicated in that suggestion the cable proprietors may come in time, but in the meantime they seem to be rather seriously perturbed over their ability to hold their own. It is premature to conclude that there is a likelihood of the cable system being actually superseded by wireless. There may be, and probably will be, great developments in the use of wireless, but in the meantime the cable services possess two great advantages, those of secrecy and reliability—the latter because they are not subject to atmospheric interference. The cable companies are in a strong position financially, having at their disposal large reserves, estimated at not less than £14,000,000, accumulated during many years of successful private enterprise. With these resources they would be able, were they so disposed, to wage a vigorous rate war with any competitor. The rivalry now facing them is not, however, of the ordinary kind, in that it is coming from the Government-controlled beam system linking Great Britain with the dominions. According to Mr-Bruce, the Prime Minister of Australia, the operation of this system has had the effect of diverting 45 per cent, of the traffic from the Australian cables. An efficient cable system is a matter of high strategic importance to the Empire. The circumstance that the British, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Government are joint owners of the Pacific cable has prompted a question as to the extent to which these Governments, in using State wireless to the detriment of the cable companies, are prepared to go in damaging their own property. But, on the assumption that it is possible for the two systems to be operated advantageously, the people ot the Empire should reap considerable benefit, since the present facilities for communication by no means represent all that is to be desired. Sir John Denison-Peuder, chairman of the Eastern and Western Telegraph Companies, recently declared that " co-operation between wireless and cable companies should be brought about in the interests of both means of communication." No doubt the effort in the direction of cooperation will be continued. Opinion concerning the result is likely to depend a good deal upon the regard that is shown for the interests of the third party —the general public. A writer in the Financial Times has suggested that if the two systems were under ons direction the traffic could be operated in the quickest and most economical way. That result might not, however, necessarily follow. The element of competition which has emerged is fraught with possibilities tor improved services which the Empire Press Union has naturally no wish to see sacrificed on any altar of business expediency or compromise.

A PERTINENT QUESTION. It must be the general desire that the Massey Agricultural College should be well and truly built, in keeping with the long and important career which should be before it .in connection with the training of those who will in the future help to carry on the great primary industries of the Dominion. Its timbers should be strong and enduring. Respecting their choice the average person may not be in a very good position to offer judgment, but the Palmerston North Borough Council has not hesitated to enter a protest against the Government specification that they shall mainly consist of certain imported woods. With this protest it is not difficult to sympathise. The Palmerston North Borough Council really effects a palpable hit in reminding the Government that it is neglecting a splendid opportunity of practising what it preaches when it fails to give a preference to New Zealand timbers. The respective merits of New Zealand and imported timbers for the purpose for which it is proposed to use Oregon and redwood in the new Agricultural College may amount to a matter of controversy. The general question that is raised in this connection seems to have a familiar ring. But, provided that New Zealand timbers are available and suitable for the purpose in view, there is undoubtedly a case to answer in respect of their exclusion in this instance. The Government should set an example to the whole community, whenever it can, in deciding for the use of British goods in preference to those of foreign origin. And it is showing scant respect for a slogan which its members have repeatedly proclaimed when it stipulates for the use of foreign timbers, such as Oregon and redwood, in the building of an institution like the Massey Agricultural College. No doubt something will be heard on the other side, but in the meantime the Palmerston North Borough Council has raised a pertinent question.