RADIO FOR SHIPS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20537, 12 February 1935, Page 8

RADIO FOR SHIPS.

Sidelights on Australian Argument. OWNERS’ OPPOSITION. (Special to the “ Star.’’) SYDNEY, February 4. The request of the marine unions for the installation of wireless on coastal steamers is still being considered by the Federal Minister for Health. But Mr Hughes was called away to Melbourne on Cabinet business twelve days ago and nothing seems to have been done since. When last heard from on this subject, the Minister had received a deputation from ship-owners in Melbourne and they had expressed a desire to exclude ships between 750 tons and 1600 tons from the obligation to carry wireless operators.

Mr Hughes declined to accept this proposal, but the arguments by which it was supported seemed to deserve a little attention. In the first place, it was urged that the inclusion of wireless operators on the staff of such small vessels would “ disturb the balance of the crew,” compelling in many cases the employment of additional hands and probably the installation of extra life-boats. Of course, this question of expense is a matter that appeals very much more strongly to shipping companies and owners than to sailors or to the average citizen, and when a Langite member asked in the Federal House whether dividends ought to be considered before human lives, he got a distinct “ round ” of applause. Error of Judgment.

But the deputation representing the owners committed a grievous error of judgment by going further than this and arguing that the money spent on the wireless operators would be wasted, because “ they would have practically nothing to do.” On this ground, a watchman employed to guard a building at night is useless unless he happens to be catching a burglar, a fire brigade is not worth keeping unless and until the fire-bell rings, and a policeman is wasting his time, and deserves no pay, unless he is actually arresting a thief. Logical Mind. Mr Hughes has a keenly logical mind, and no doubt this strained and one-sided argument helped him to form a very unfavourable opinion of the shipowners’ case. The whole matter is still in abeyance, but there have been many indications that the shipping companies have produced a very unpleasant impression on the public mind hy laying so much stress on the “ expense that would be involved in taking reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of the coastal boats and their crews. The Federal Cabinet on Friday decided that all steamships engaged in the inter-State trade must be equipped with radio apparatus for emergency use. On vessels of 750 tons to 1600 tons the equipment must be in charge of a certified radio operator.