WIRELESS ON SHIPBOARD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1650, 17 January 1913, Page 4

WIRELESS ON SHIPBOARD.

REGULATIONS TO BE ISSUED. . The Minister for Marine (tho Hon.": F, M. B. Fisher)'has notified: tho manager of,.tho Union Steam" Ship Company that there will shortly be. put into operation in New Zealand regulations making it compulsory for passenger-ships to carry wireless, apparatus. Tho Minister suggested that it might ,bo advisable for tho -.Union Steam Snip Company to have an installation .placed upon the M'ahine, the'new steamer which is coming out for tho Wellingtdn-Lyttelton ferry sorvicc, before sho leaves Homo. ' The Maori also will require to be equipped, but exactly: how far the regulations are likely to apply to passenger ships tho Minister is not at present •prepared 'to state.. ■'.•.-■•'

.' "I am perfectly satisfied, as a result of travelling during; tho holiday soason," Mr. "Fisher told a reporter yesterday, "that no adequate provision of life-saving appliances is made on. our coastal boats for tho number of .passengers being carried; and it would contribute greatly to the public safety toknowthat should any accident befall .'one 'of our forry boats between Wellington and Lyttelton there would be certain holp within'six hours rango, to be called up by wireless. "I hope there,will bo littlo difficulty t in making arrangements.' botwecn. the shipping company and tho Postal Department .under which the latter will'take wireless messages on board the ferry boats at considerably reduced rates, thus enabling the company and'tho Government to recoup themselves to.some extent for the cost of installation." V

AH the intercolonial steamers and those trading to the islands are already fitted with wireless apparatus,: