IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 266, 4 August 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

WIRELESS SCHEMES DISCUSSED ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT SYSTEM STRESSED BY MR. HUGHES FEDERAL PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE QUESTION By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. London, August 2. Mr. Hughes succeeded to-day in rescuing the wireless and airship schemes from the most adverse possible position from the Australian viewpoint, by arranging that tho Commonwealth Parliament should decide its special phases in its own way. ’When the Imperial Conference met it wag quickly apparent that the majority favoured ths adoption and exploitation of Sir Henry Norman’s scheme. Mr. Hughes was the only determined opponent. The facts laid before the delegates showed that the capital cost of establishing the scheme would be heavy, while in the case of Australia the annual loss on the working was estimated at £20,000, in addition to a deficiency of £50,000 on the existing wireless installations. Mr. Hughes pointed cut that this loss was accentuated by the fact that each relay took a toll of revenue.

The Norman scheme, Mr. Hughes said, provided for five relays between Australia and England, meaning that tho Commonwealth would collect only a fifth of the revenue. Tho capital cost of providing direct communication (declared feasible by tho wireless companies) would not, on the other hand, bo five times as great as a 2000-mile scheme, and probably no more than double, while all the revenue would go to the country owning the high-power station concerned. This was a great factor in its commercial success. The Norman scheme did not provide for communication with Canada, the United States, China, or Japan, whereas a system bridging the air between Australia and England would embrace alee every country of importance in the world. Facility for sending out regular reports and Australian information, showing the state of the harvests, the wool position, gold production, anef other news of national and world importance was of the greatest value from the advertisement viewpoint, and would place Australia in its proper sphere in the world’s affairs. Under the Norman scheme, in case of a "jam,” Australia being at tho end of the lino, would be the lest to receive news from abroad, and the last to get her information past the obstacle. The position would be intolerable, and it would be better to face the position seriously now than to approach it half-heartedly. Tho report indicated that in any circumstances wireless Press rates would be about half tho cable rates. A long discussion followed, and ended in a compromise, the Imperial authorities and the other Prime Ministers agreeing to allow Mr. Hughes to refer the matter and all tho facts to tho Federal Parliament. Mr. Hughes intends to take homo the fullest information on all the schemes, in every possible variation, anil while personally strongly supporting direct communication, the responsibility will be thrown on Parliament of establishing connection with Britain by whatever* means it approves. Private cnt«rprise will probably bo invited to undertake tho approved scheme, with the Government backing; and financial support will ho sought at each end, nnd it is understood has already been promised. The matter wil bo dealt with as soon as the Federal Parliament reassembles. Each Dominion will lie responsible for its wireless installation, and will control its special sphere.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FAST STEAMERS _V. AIRSHIPS RELATIVE COST QUESTION TO BE REFERRED TO DOMINION PARLIAMENTS. London, August 2. Inquiries made by ths special committee appointed by the Conference showed that the cost of providing a fleet of 25-knot steamers would be between twenty-seven and fifty, millions. It was estimated that each ship would cost three millions, and the minimum number required to provide an adequate service between Britain end Australia was nine. Such fast steaming would reduce the journey by eleven days. An airship scheme, judged on a conservative estimate, would reduce tho existing time by eighteen days. The committee estimated that an airship service could be established for the cost of a single 25knot steamer. After a debate the conference decided, to leave the question unsettled, and to arrange for its reference to tho Dominion Parliaments, which will be furnished with tho latest available information, and will also be kept in touch with development—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

IMPERIAL AIRSHIP ORGANISATIONLIFE EXTENDED UNTIL CHRISTMAS. (Reo. August 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 2. Having secured a measure of concession regarding wireless, Mr. W. M. Hughes strove to save the airship scheme. The official arrangements provided that the Imperial airship organisation should be scrapped by August 1. Everything was ready to this end, when Mr. Hughes intervened, securing a delay. Ho contended that it was impossible to hope to secure satisfaction unless a nucleus was available to make tests. The Imperial authorities have now agreed to extepd the life of this body till Christmas. The interval occupied furthering the objects outlined })V the Imperial Conference, with particular reference to the service to Aus-tialia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROCEEDINGS OFFICIALLY ENDED London, August 2. The Conference proceedings have now officially terminated, although the delegates will spend a few days in framing the reports of lira wireless and airship committees. The reports and summary of tho proceedings of the Conference will be made public ns soon as possible. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.