VOICES ACROSS WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1930, Page 9

VOICES ACROSS WORLD

WIRELESS ’PHONE MARVEL

FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA

OPENING OF THE SERVICE

By Telegraph— Press Assn.—Copyright.

Rec. 11 p.m. London. April 30. If Australia heard Mr. Ramsay MacDonald as plainly as Englishmen heard Mr. J. 11. Scullin at Number 10 Downing Street, where a dozen privileged journalists have not missed a syllable in their verbatim report, there is. no need to recount what passed between the Prime Minister at the opening of the new wireless telephone service to-day. Mr. MacDonald sat in his usual chair in the Cabinet room with an ordinary telephone. The journalists were in the next room, each with a telephone connected to an array of amplifiers. Professor Lees Smith, Postmaster-General, beaming on the new marvel his department had fashioned in the face of much criticism, kept Mr. MacDonald company. The Prime Minister’s son, Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, gave a family touch by joining the journalists. He was glad to take one of their spare headphones. Miss Ishbel MacDonald unluckily was out of London and missed the thrill.

At 8.25, after repeated tests they heard the final “0.K.” to Mr. Badenach, who replied, “All ready at Canberra.” .Punctually as Big! Ben chimed 8.30 the conversation began. There was not the remotest suggestions of atmospherics. Those mid-Victorian courtesies, “My dear Mr.* Scullin’’ and “My dear Mr. MacDonald” sounded a little novel.

Photographs of the historic scene wore taken, after which Mr. MacDonald came to the journalists’ room bubbling over with enthusiasm. “You know I had not heard Mr. Scullin since 1906, but recognised his voice at the first word,” he said. Mr. Lees Smith, who was most proud of the success, revealed that a conversation at that moment was going on between Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. W. M. Hughes.

Rec, 10.30 p.m. , Sydney, April 30. The inaugural ceremony of the establishment of wirelees telephony between England and Australia this evening was completely successful. The conversation between Mr. MacDonald and the Australian Prime Minister, which was broadcast throughout Australia, created a profound impression. . Indeed, it was uncanny. Mr. MacDonald began by expressing pleasure at being able to establish personal contact again with old friends m Australia. He paid a tribute to the engineers responsible for making' the spoken word possible between Great Britain and Australia. He said their achievement would be the means of - knitting more closely together the two countries. Mr. MacDonald discussed in the clearest tones Australia’s financial difficulties and extended sympathy to Mr. Scullin in his efforts to right the ship of State. He mentioned the arrival of the Australian cricketers, briefly surveyed the naval conference and exclaimed in happy, vein: ‘‘What an age we are living in! What would our grandfathers have to say about it?” He closed with cordial greetings to Mr. Scirilin and the Australian people. Mr. Scullin’s reply referred to his meeting with Mr. MacDonald 24 years ago, his task of straightening out the adverse trade balance, the naval conference and the destination of the cricket Ashes. Mr. Scullin facetiously added that there would be no embargo on the importation of the Ashes. Then followed his greetings and au revoir, to which Mr. MacDonald answered plainly: "Au revoir my dear Mr. Scullin.” .