WIRELESS MONOPOLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1923, Page 3

WIRELESS MONOPOLY.

BRITISH COMPANY. AUSTRALIAN’ AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. CONDON. April 20 Sir AY. Joynsou Clicks, Minister in Charge, .speaking in the House of Commons, related circumstances in connection with a curious position which, he said, had arisen regarding wireless broadcasting. He explained that under an agreement made l,v his predecessor, he could only grant- broadcasting licenses with a proviso that the users must use an instrument marked “British Broadcasting Company, ’’ but lie could issue experimental licenses without this condition. The present, position was that G7,.ft> 1 broadcasting and 83,383 experiiiicnteis' licenses had been issued. Further, 33,1)00 applications for experimenters' licenses with a proviso were received. Probably ">(H),<)00 people were anxious to take out licenses, if they can got the sort they want. The company, however, complains that experimenters are using home-made instruments and are listening in to concerts without paying a license fee. -which, in the ease of broadcasting. is shared between the Government and the company. He was: not prepared to accept the company’s view that he should issue experimenters’ licenses with a proviso that the instrument parts should he of their manufacture. Ho was willing to stipulate British manufacture, hut tins proposal the company declined. The law officers of the Crown had advised him that lie was compelled to grant applications lo a stall’ of experts, and ho was therefore submitting 38.1)00 applications to a stall' of exports, and if they were genuine, they would he granted, lie also would appoint a committee to consider llie whole question, which had heroine one of a monopoly.

.’Mr Kantsav MacDonald fl.ahntir), said the House was amazed that such a contract should exist, and that’ such a deadlock should he created.