WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 27

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY

THE MARCONI Si’STEM LONDON, August 22. Signor Marconi, presiding at a meeting of the Marconi Company, said that shortly they would be initiating cheaper communication with South America, Europe, the United States, and other parts. He hoped soon to be able to give some interesting information of their new subsidiary company in Australia. Mr Godfrey Isaacs said that the day was not far distant when those at sea could at breakfast time exchange wireless telephone messages with their friends ashore. MR IRVINE’S RETAINER. MELBOURNE, August 22. In the House Mr Frazer attacked the Attorney-general (Mr Irvine) on the ground of his professional connection as a barrister with the Marconi Company. He said that Mr Irvine had no right to continue to hold a retainer from a company which is still challenging the Commonwealth Government. Such a position was absolutely untenable if he continued to hold the Attorney-generalship. Mr Irvine refused to be drawn, but challenged Mr Frazer to formulate a motion. Mr Frazer announced that he accepted the challenge. August 23. In the House of Representatives the Attorney-general (Mr Irvine) replied to Mr Fraser’s attack regarding his connection with the Marconi Company. He said that Mr Frazer seemed to think that the acceptance of a retainer involved some confidential arrangement between the company giving the retainer and the counsel accepting. Nothing was more absurd. A general retainer did not bind counsel in regard to the acceptance of a brief, if there were any reason whatever, public or private, which would embarrass him. Ho had no more relations with the Marconi Company than with other gentlemen who had given him general retainers. He had no duty to them, except that he had to give them notice before he? accepted a brief in an action against them. The point raised by Mr Frazer involved the question that a man could not accept a position in a Ministry unless he altogether divested himself of any interest which might come in conflict with decisions he might have to give as a Minister. Mr Frazer said he considered that the Marconi Company had the first claim (n Mr Irvine's services, not merely that he had to give notice before he appeared against them. Mr Fisher said the House would have to decide whether Ministers should allow their private interests to affect their public duties. Mr Cook stated that Mr Irvine had absolutely cut his connection with the Marconi Company, and had returned his briefs.