WIRELESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1922, Page 1

WIRELESS.

BROADCASTING WORLD’S NEWS. aUSTUALIAN AND N.Z. CAIILE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May 5. Professor Eccles, vice-chairman of the Wireless Telegraphy Commission, read a paper before the Dominions and Indian sections of the Society of Arts on Imperial Wireless communication. A keenly controversial discussion followed. Professor Eccles, in bis lecture, outlined the history of the development- leading up to the Wireless Commission, and the 2090 mile-link report, which tin l Imperial Conference fully debated in 1021.

Referring to the broadcasting of-wirc-lcss. Professor Eccles suggested that when an Imperial news service was oiganised, every newspaper throughout the Empire, by means of an inexpensive receiving apparatus would be able to pick up tlie world’s news, broadcast from London and other centres. Ultimately, .die. suggested, the settlers in the biiekblooks of Australia, New Zealand. Canada, South Africa, and India would pick up the news in their own homes as quickly as it would be receivable in the English provinces.

Discussing Professor Eccles’s' paper. Lord Burnham, the chairman, said lie did not think that tlie broadcasting of news would bo a- serious menace to the press or an alternative. 1 to the press. Broadcasted wireless news was likely to prove ineffective, until handled by the press, which, probably would be equal to any emergency.

Signor Marconi disagreed with the lecturer’s views relating to there being a limited effective wireless range, lie was of opinion that no range was too great to he traversed by wireless by moans of proper apparatus. If the effects of the atmospheric conditions would require 100 stations between Britain and Australia, which was contrary to experience. He could not agree that any strength of long distance signals varied one hundred fold.

Sir Godfrey Isaacs pointed out that Canada had abstained from participation in the Imperial wireless chain scheme, and Australia, India, and South Africa had condemned the report, preferring direct communication, for which Australia had concluded a separate agreement. He said all the world's wireless companies were convinced that long distance communications were both efficient and economical, with the result that they had combined in order to supply a direct service, linking up South America with the United States and with Frame and Germany, and, if the necessary condition were forthcoming, with England. Japan was also seeking direct communication. He protested strongly against the suggestion that the Crown had used the rights of various patents, belonging to the Marconi Company. Colonel O’Meara, formerly Chief Engineer of the British Post Office, said lie was disappointed that no Imperial organisation had been formed to carry out the Imperial chain. The post office was not a suitable organisation to handle it.

Professor Eceles, in reply, pointed out that a.n official report to Washington Naval Station showed that the strength of cross-Atlantic signals varied two hundred fold within one day. Sir G. Isaacs’s statements were merely ex parte ones. It was news to him that the dominions had withdrawn from the Imperial chain scheme. Sir Godfrey Isaacs’s wishes were parent to his thoughts. In regard to use of the Marconi’s Company’s patents, he had merely set .forth the considered opinion of the Crown’s highest legal authorities, which had been sent to Sir G. Isaacs months ago.