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Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1927, Page 2

Tub wonders of wireless are being demonstrated day by day. Last week’s event of transmitting music, song and story from London to Now Zealand is an indication of what is being done, and we may lie sure, in a comparatively brief time the facilities for speech by wireless over the distance referred to will be improved even more. As regards what wireless is accomplishing. All’ ,T. AN. Prentice, of Australia, who is now settled in New Zealand to organise broadcasting in the Dominion, delivered an address in Auckland to the 'Rotary Club last week, wherein he said the achievements of wireless already included the conquest hv man of those old obstacles. Time and Space. In this connection the community could look forward confidently to the time, probably not far distant, when speeches of Britain’s Prime Minister from London, and possibly of His Alajcstv the King could he heard by listeners-in in Auckland. Bur a third result he hoped for was that wireless would have a farreaching effect in breaking down the harriers at present existing between tile nations of the world. Tn this connection the function of wireless in its nature, unlike many other inventions, was constructive, not destructive. In regard to tho instruments used. Apprentice said that future improvements would probably he in the direction of refinements, and not in any change of mechanical principles. The speaker also referred to the prospects of television, and suggested that in future the listener-in bv means of a small mirror attached to his apparatus would see as well as hear. Had it been only as an entertainment wireless wonders would miss its chief effect. Tt was as an educative factor that it was mainly justified and in this respect its future seemed to lie boundless. It was along these lines that he personally had his interest. When properly utilised wireless would bring tq the (Wintry

people all tlio advantages which at present caused people to flock to the towns, and this would have a vital effect on the rural communities throughout the world, 'flip growth of wireless in this country will he remarkable when the new and powerful Wellington station is broadcasting in about two months’ time. This new station will he the most powerful south of the line. At present Xew Zealand liston-ers-in rely in the main on Australian stations ,for the programmes most easily taken from the air. Both main stations at Sydney, as well ns the principal stations at Melbourne and Brisbane, are generally in good strength, and supply lietter and more varied programmes than the Xew Zealand stations. which are also interrupted by breaks and silent nights. With the improvements being effected so rapidly in broadcasting, the griv.tli of general interest in listening-in will become more and more general and justify Mr Prentice’s optimism as to the value and work of wireless as a means for greater good.