RIVAL WIRELESS SYSTEMS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13131, 18 July 1913, Page 3

RIVAL WIRELESS SYSTEMS.

THE MARCONI CONTRACT.

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright.)

LONDON, July 17,

In the House of Commons, Mr; Guinness raised a heated, desultory debate on all phases of the Marconi' contract.

Major Archer Shee pointed out that America had given priority to the Poulsen system over all others after a practical test.. '

Mr Speaker appealed to Ministerialists not to maintain* a running fire of interruption, but to. give members a chance. (Opposition cheers.)

Lord Robert Cecil said the only, question was : "Ought the Government to give a contract to the Marconi Company without competition ! Or j ought they to invite- competitive tenders?" '

The Hon. Mr Samuel (PostmasterGeneral) m reply, relied on the results of the official inquiry on long-distance wireless, and also communicated to the House opinions received that day from the Engineers-in-CEief at the post offioe; inspector of wireless telegraphy, formerly m the Admiralty, but now m the post offioe; president of the institution of electrical engineers, and Lord Parker — all declaring that it was inadvisable to invite Poulsen and Goldschmjdt to tender at the present moment. He pleaded the urgency of strategical and commercial reasons.

Mr Austen Chamberlain replied that the post offioe had not sufficiently realised that it was the master of the situation. Instead of entering into a contract he would prefer some delay ; otherwise the Department ought to execute -tihe work.