RADIO INTERFERENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18253, 23 November 1933, Page 6

RADIO INTERFERENCE

POWERS FOR CONTROL P AND T. AMENDMENT BILL INTERESTING CLAUSES (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. One of the most importaii<movisions of the Post and Telegraph jpendment Bill, introduced by Governor’s Messag in the House last night is an of powers to make regulations for tne control of electrical apparatus inteifeting with wireless communications Former legislation was restricted to the. protection of public wireless communications, but the extended power enables regulations to be made i° r prohibition or regulation of ! usta^°' ’ use, sale, or manufacture of apparatus or equipment of any kind, whether wireless, telegraphic apparatus or no , which may generate electric wave likely to interfere with the conduct ot wireless communications.” The Postmaster-General, the Hon. AHamilton, explained that representatives of (he Post and Telegraph Department, Public Works Department, and power board' authorities would constitute an advisory committee in connection witli the administration of these regulations to prevent interference with radio ieception in any locality. The existing power to regulate vvn less telegraphy within New Zealand territorial waters is extended to con er foreign ships of war while m >«fW be - laud territorial waters, while fines kwl a breach of this regulation are specified as not exceeding £ICOO. Any fine not exceeding this amount imposed prior to the passing of this Act is validated. SECRETARY’S NEW TITLE The title of the secretary of the department is to be changed to director general of the Post and Telegraph Department, find there are to be two divisions in the service, the first division comprising officers appointed by the Governor-General, and the second division other classified officers whoso salaries are fixed by the directorgeneral. ...... There is a change m the constitution of the Post and Telegraph Promotions Board, which is to comprise the directorgeneral, three senior officers appointed by the Governor-in-Council, and one officer elected by members of the department. . An interesting repeal section is that relating to the power in the principal Act to prohibit the carriage of mails from the Australian Commonwealth or Fiji on New Zealand subsidised vessels, if these countries refuse to contribute to the mail service subsidised by the Dominion. The original Act contained power to remove such mails from subsidised vessels, returning them to the country of origin, but these sections are repealed, it being explained that they are contrary to the Postal Union convention. . , , The theft of postal packets or telegrams and the robbery of mail bags were formerly offences only punishable by indictment. The bill proposes to enable thorn to be also dealt with summarily. with a maximum punishment of three months’ imprisonment, ora fine of £SO. CAREFUL. HANDLING Mr. Hamilton explained to the House that the changing of the title of the permanent head of the department from “Secretary” to “Director-General, brought the Dominion into line with the practice fpllowod in nearly all other parts of the world. There were 84 countries in the Postal Union, of which New Zealand was a member, and the heads of the departments in these, countries wrote to eacli other in the name of “Director-General.” Great Britain, the Irish Free State, and New Zealand were tlie only nations still using the title “Secretary.” and a Parliamentary Committee had recommended the change to “Director-General” In Britain. The Minister pointed out that the term “Secretary” was usually applied to an officer holding a rank ‘inferior to that of the departmental head. Dir. F. Langstone (Labor, Waimarmo): Does it carry an increase in salary? Mr. Hamilton: No, it just brings us into line with the rest of the world. Continuing, the Minister said the clause dealing with radio interference by what are known as “howlers,” or power apparatus that interfered with radio reception, was a difficult subject, and one that required careful handling. The bill gave power to form an advisory committee to control radio interference in any locality.

Mr.* Clyde Carr (La!.or. Timaru) said be desired to congratulate the Minister in the lastmentioned clause. It would mollify many people who had radio receiving sets, and who had suffered from “roarers.”

Mr. A. Harris (Coal., Waitemata) asked whether the alteration relating to the denartmental head would place that officer beyond Ministerial and Parliamentary control.

Mr. Hamilton : Tt does not alter his status at all.