WIRELESS AIRSHIP SCHEMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16494, 3 August 1921, Page 8

WIRELESS AIRSHIP SCHEMES.

MR HUCHES STILL DETER* MINED. COST OF ESTABLISHMENT HEAVY. By Tel * graph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 3, 1.5 p.m.) IX>NDON, August 2. Mr Hughes succeeded to-day in rescuing the wirelees airship schemes from the most adverse possible position from the Australian viewpoint. Ho arranged that the Commonwealth Parliament shall decide its special phases in its own way. When the Conference met it was quicklj'- apparent that the majority favoured the adoption of the exploitation of the Norman scheme. Mr Hughes wavs the <\nly determined opponent. The facts laid before the delegates showed the ca-pitai costs of establishing the scheme were heavy, while, in the case of Australia, tlie annual loss in working was estimated at £20.000, iu addition to £50,000 deficiency on the existing wireless installations. Mr Hughes pointed out that this loss would he accentuated by the fact that each relay took a toll of the revenue. THE NORMAN SCHEME. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 3, 2.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 2. Mr Hughes continued that the Norman scheme provided five relays between Australia and England. The Norman scheme did not provide communication with Canada, United States, China and Japan, whereas the system of ' bridging the air between Australia and England would embrace also every country ojfc importance in the world. Under the Norman scheme, in the caso of a jamb, Australia being at the end of the line, would be the last to receive news from abroad and the last to get her information past the obstacle. A long discussion ended with a compromise, the Imperial authorities and other Prime Ministers agreeing to allow Mr Hughes to refer the matter and all the facts to the Federal Parliament, on whom the responsibility would be thrown for establishing connection with Britain by whatever means it approves (A messnge received yesterday stated :—The Conference to-day discussed the reports of the committees on wireless and air communications. After a long debate, neither matter was decided. Postal opinion strongly favours the committee’s wireless scheme, and a majority of the members of the Con ference suggest its adoption. Mr Hughes has opposed the 2000 miles radius plan at every stage, and is now continuing his opposition, contending that this idea was acceptable years ago, but nothing short of direct communication conforms to modern opinion. If a scheme is to be exploited, it must ho something unlikely to become out-of-date quickly. Direct communication between Great Britain and the dominions is essential.)