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Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1920, Page 2

In Friday’s issue it was mentioned that tlie Commonwealth Government received from the Imperial authorities the full text of the wireless chain linking up the Empire, and recommending value stations in England, Cairo, Poona, Singapore, Hong Kong, Darwin or Perth. The capital c ost is estimated at £1,243,000. Particulars by the late English j mail gave some details of this highly important scheme of wireless communication for the Empire. The details were submitted by the Imperial Wireiless .Telegraphy Committee, presided over by Sir Henry Norman M.P., m the form of a Parliamentary Paper to the House of Commons. Two main lines of communication are contemplated, viz., England to Australia (Port Darwin or Perth), with intermediate j stations at Cairo, Poona, Singapore and Hong Kong, and England to South Africa, with stations at Cairo, Nairobi, and Windlnik. Similar communication will be necessary to establish connection with Canada, but this can only be arranged after conference "between the Imperial and Canadian Governments. The stations, it is propsed, should be about 2,000 miles apart, and should be planned by a Wireless Commission of about four members, whose functions would probably Cease with the completion of the stations. The Engineering Department of the General Post Office, and the corresponding Indian and Dominion authorities would be entrusted with the building of the stations according to- plans furnished by the Wireless Commission. It is estimated that in the opening years an annual loss of about £IOO,OOO would be shown, the Imperial share of this being £63,000. This loss, however, would decrease annually, until, after ten years, the service would show a profit. A scheme submitted to the Committee by the Marconi Company, was rejected on vari- , ous grounds, particularly' that of the heavy cost thereby involved. Not only would such an Imperial wireless scheme as outlined above, afford reliable, ex- - peditious, and economical communication for commercial, social and press purposes throughout the Empire, but. as stated by the Committee, it would also meet essential Imperial strategic requirements.