AMERICAN CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 116, 14 February 1928, Page 9

AMERICAN CONTROL

OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

OUTDISTANCING BRITISH EMPIRE ESSENTIAL FOR WIRELESS CONFERENCE TO ACT The London “Observer” declares that the United States Government, acting through financial and commercial organisations, supported by its diplomatic representatives,' dominates international communications and is still steadily consolidating its strength. The' paper emphasises the necessity for the Wireless Conference to deal with the position. By Telegraph.—press association. ■ Copyright ' London, February 12. The newspaper “Observer,” in a lengthv article, emphasises the necessity for the Wireless Conference _ to deal with the position which has arisen from American activities in the last two years, whereby the United States Government, acting through financial and commercial organisations, supported by its diplomatic representatives, dominates international communications, and is still steadily consolidating its strength.. The Americans control Spanish telephones and support the Spanish-Argentine companies which are establishing transatlantic wireless communication. They are the chief influence with Japanese companies operating in the Far East, and considerably influence German companies controlling Telefunken, and possess the French Thomson, Houston Company, and are thereby responsible for developing longdistance telephony to Europe, which is a bold, magnificent policy, overshadowing that of Germany before the war. The British Government is indifferent to America’s effort, influential circles believing assistance to - - existing companies contrary to the Government’s ' policy of securing control _ of communications. The Government fails to realise, as the Americans did, that it meant a chance of, influencing world communications outside its own borders. Britain’s • position is more humiliating because before the war it Was pre-eminent, with London the telegraphic centre of Europe. , To-day America is rapidly outdistancing the Empire. Paris is the European nerve centre, while the Empire’s is disorganised and feven conflicting. Despite its great capital resources and wireless personnel, equivalent to America’s, it cannot compete with powerful organisations with a unified control, supported by the American Government at home and abroad. , ' The conference, doubtless, considered the matter,' and presumably Britain will give a lead to the Dominions, but British individualism may 'render impossible the combination of resources necessaty to enable the Empire to obtain some share of the communications America now influences. Nevertheless, the solution is in placing in commercial hands the whole of Britain’s external telegraphs and telephones, and combining wireless with cables as a public utility company. An Imperial Communications Board, resembling the Communications Committee, including representatives of Britain, the Dominions, and colonies, should be formed to protect the public and' regulate rates, which should be the lowest possible to ensure a fair return to capital,- also determine strategic questions throughout the Empire by wireless or cable. Moreover,, the utility company should have the active support of the Imperial Government, extending British influence in the world of communications.—A.P.A. and “Sun.” ! ~ -OPERATION OF EMPIRE SERVICES GOVERNMENT CONTROL ADVOCATED London, February 12. Mr. Walter Baker, M.P., who-is to ask the Postmaster-General in the House of Commons to disclose for the first time the actual terms of the license under which the Marconi Company operates, in the course of-an interview with the “Dailv Herald,” said: “I understand that the cable companies and private wireless interests, alike are striving to wrest the operation of Empire wireless services from the Government. Their immediate goal is- the fusion of all interests, cable and wireless, in Empire telegraphic communication. This is obviously contrary to the public interest, which -would be best served by a continuance of direct Governmental control of tlie beam, Imperial cable, and kindred services. It is essential that the natural advantages of wireless should be passed on completely in the shape of lower rates. The interests of cables must- not prevent this, or impede the fuller developrfient of wireless.” Mr. Baker, who was formerly employed in the telegraphic service, added that the experience of the Union of Post Office Workers confirmed this ■ viewpoint, which represented union policy.