WIRELESS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 24, 5 March 1914, Page 5

WIRELESS.

REDUCTION IN CHARGES. Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 4. A statement was published locally on Monday to the effect that the Federal Postmaster-General was arranging to send ships within wireless range of the Commonwealth land stations a daily budget of 400 words of news at a cost of £24 per ship per annum; The statement'further s&id Mr Wynne had ordered a v reduction, to Gd a word for messages to all ships in Australasia. This was referred to an official connected with the wireless telegraphy, and lie explained that Mr 1 Wynne on his own responsibility, or indeed on behalf of the Australian Government, could '' order '' nothing. Before any arrangement could be arrived at the Marconi Company, or rather the Amalgamated Wireless Company of Australasia, Ltd., would have to be consulted.

The matter of passengers on ships having a daily supply of the world's news was referred to the PostmasterGeneral. "The reduction to 6d per word mentioned in the announcement," said Mr Rhodes, "would seem to indicate either that the Australian Government has not fallen in with the reduction to 5d agreed to by New Zealand, or that it is not prepared to be anything like so liberal to the public as it would appear they are prepared to be to the Press. The basis of charge as set out is an unworkable one. A fixed rate per steamer would be very unfair to steamers which were less frequently in wireless range. Some steamers performing regular intercolonial services I are seldom out of wireless range, while other steamers are only in wireless range two or three days per month." Most of the intercolonial vessels between New Zealand Australia are within range of New Zealand on an average about eight days per month, and in order that the present rate should be collected a charge of say £IOO a year per vessel would be necessary. If such a scheme were contemplated by the - *New . Zealand Government the charge would have to be based upon the number of days on which the messages were received. The present rate for wireless Press messages, 5/- per 100 words, is an exceedingly low one, and unless it is the policy of the Government to expend the moneys of the State to a still greater degree on the circulation of news, I do not think the rate should be in any way lowered. Al our present rate a 400-word Press message would cost £1 only, and as vessels are within wireless range of New Zealand coming and going about two days the average cost of news would be about £2 on each trip. There is another phase of the question to be considered. There are usually six or more vessels within range at one time, and the sending of 400 words of Press matter to every one of these vessels would fairly block the transmission of private or other messages, particularly with outgoing boats which were gradually getting out of range.''