TO FORCE GOVERNMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 60, 22 May 1928, Page 6

TO FORCE GOVERNMENT

CABLE WIRELESS MERGER.

LABOURITE’S FEARS,

United Prea,s Assn. —By Electric Telegranh CouyriMit. / (Received 1.35 a.m.) i-, LONDON, May 21.

In the House of Commons Mr Baker the Bristol Labourite, raised a discussion on the Imperial Beam Service. He detailed all the history of wireless since 1923, and said he understood the merger between the MarcWd ‘Company and the Eastern Company was calculated to attempt to force the hands of the Government. They hoped to take over the post office wireless and cable system and control independent wireless and.cable companies in the Dominions. The fact was the Marconi Company knew how gi eat wei etc potential profits of the Government Beam service. It was understood that* the Post Office service although in its infancy, was already showing a handsome; profit. The calile companies vV.ere frankly afraid of the success of the Beam system and entered the merger as the only way of escaping competition. Mr Baker objected to Imperial wireless communications being handled 'by two groups, of which he alleged one had a record of scandalous mismanagement. If it was a faqt 'that/ a decision had been reached in this matter by the Imperial Wireless ‘Conference, 'then the Government/had adopted a course which waaif.fatal to the national interests and the ' chief result of the conference h£(d been to enrich share manipulators.’ ■