EMPIRE WIRELESS

Southland Times, Issue 19098, 16 November 1923, Page 5

EMPIRE WIRELESS

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION VITAL. IN INTERESTS OF IMPERIAL UNITY. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Reuter’s Telegram). LONDON, November 14. In the speeches delivered at the Economic Conference on November 9 in connection with wireless communications, Mr S. M. Bruce said he did not share the view of Canada and South Africa that wireless and operating stations to be established in Britain were a question for the British Government alone. He maintained it was a great Imperial question. Cheap and effective communication was vital to the Empire. The rapidity of communication was perhaps the most serious consideration. Failing that many things they were attempting to do at the Conference in the matter of trade wpuld inevitably not be realisable. If a greatly increased service of news could be provided much would be done in the direction of getting greater unity of thought in the Empire. Furthermore, efficient and cheap wireless would promote migration, enabling migrants to maintain contact with old associations. Cables were a serious drawback from the defence viewpoint owing to the fact that they could be cut. The problem of closer Imperial consultations on foreign policy was only soluble by improvement in communications. Other nations were sending far more news abroad than Britain; hence the problem did not brook delay. Another serious factor was the increasing difficulty of the Empire in obtaining the position it ought to hold. Wave lengths were already reserved and more would be reserved with the constant erection of new stations. The present position was most alartning. There was only one possible sound and sane way of meeting it. Since the British Government had decided to build a station then Australia was entitled to say licenses should be issued for the erection of other stations in Britain. These should be operated under a pooling arrangement. It was imperative the whole case should have the fullest publicity. If it were impossible to thus ascertain the facts an impartial authority must be appointed to investigate the whole situation. When it issued its finding no Government or outside jteople would be able to resist the pressure of the people of Britain and the dominions to prevent future wireless being held up, because of a quarrel which apparently was at present extraordinarily intense. Mr W. F. Massey said it was impossible for New Zealand to do anything of much value pending definite action by Britain. He asked when was the British Post Office going to make up its mind. Mr Massey unhesitatingly favoured Empire against private control and stated it was his opinion wireless would be eventually cheaper and more efficient than the cable. He urged the authorities in Britain to bestir themselves. Sir William Mclntosh said South Africa having entered into a contract did not consider it had any status to interfere in anything Britain might wish to do. Sir L. Worthington Evans said that the Marconi Co. had not yet refused his offer to erect a Government station to communicate with South Africa and Canada. He would permit them to erect two stations for communication elsewhere in the Empire, but they had been putting pressure by propaganda upon all of them. Mr Bruce interrupted, declaring that the Marconi Co. never tried to influence him. Sir L. Worthington Evans said: The real point is: Are we prepared to give the Marconi Co. a virtual monopoly? Mr Massey: That can only be answered in the negative. Sir L. Worthington Evans continued that he was confident the Marconi Co. recognised the fairness of the Government’s offer and that a monopoly was out of the question. Otherwise the British Government must consider the erection of further stations. He preferred to see the Government and a private firm co-operating.