EMPIRE WIRELESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1923, Page 3

EMPIRE WIRELESS.

PRIVATE COMPANIES AND THE GOVERNMENT. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). (Received this day at 9.-15 a.m.) LONDON. Sep. 20. An announcement that the Government proposes to introduce new conditions in connection with the Empire wireless scheme, and deciding that the whole service must not only he run hv the Post Office, but witli Post Office officials over whom private licensed companies would have no control, lias caused consternation among the radio companies.

Air Alareoni declined to comment, saving that he did not wish to complicate matters for the Postmaster-Gen-eral.

The Post Office was equally reticent. Nevertheless, it is evident that there has been a serious hitch in the negotiations. and the matter is likely to be hotly fought out at, the Imperial Conference.

The Empire Press I'nion has been given autho'ritiv to May that notwithstanding the Government's aiinoiiiieenieiit that private enterprise was no longer debarred in the establishing of communication between England and the Dumions, a deadlock from this has arisen. Ap| ircntly Sir Worthington Evans’s (Postmaster-General) decision to issue licenses to commercial companies.means nothing, because he intends to impose conditions impassible of fulfilment. No business enterprise or company could raise C 2,01 >0.001) of capital unless given the full management and control thereof. This is what the Government seriously proposed, and it means the running of a State service at the joint expense of commercial enterprise and the pulil ic. There is still little in the prospect, but interminable discussions by committees. The spasmodic and vacillating policies ol successive PostmasteiGenorals have taken away, in turn, the support of the great radio companies and the Dominion Governments, and now. finally, have lost the confidence of the 1 Irtish public, who see ever more and more the costly obstruction that is placed in the way of the practical implication of radio-telegraphy to the public service.