MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1927, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) A FRENCH SURVEY. LONDON, Aug. 10. | The “ Times’s ” correspondent says “ Le 'Temps” in a survey of British; naval policy from the French viewpointexpresses, the opinion that the strategic purpose now is the defence of the Km- ' pice and its main routes, and despitecertain. reductions of credits, the Singapore base is actively being pushed forward, The main fleet is stationed at Malta, whereby hig ships will permanently be at the gates of the Red Sea. and the Far East Mediterranean [lowers, see therein no menace or unhealthy appetite for hegemony. Tiie writer refers to Britain’s bold policy in not shrinking from the most costly changes when it is a question of fighting values, but points out that she shows less enterprise with the submarine. Moreover, she has nothing to compare with France’s Tigre flotilla class. As regards RIOO and RlOl they possibly are destined for use as scouts for the Pacific Fleet when the Singapore Base is completed: The article concludes with reference to the Dominions’ growing appreciation of Imperial naval policy. FASCISTS! AjpTJON. LONDON, Aug, 16. The “ Daily Mail’s ” Chamonix correspondent says that, the. Franco-ltai'-ian frontier incidents development has proved harmless, but there is a spectacular dispute over Mont. Blanc. Italian Fascists, headed by Turatt, General Secretary, climbed the highest point of a part of the mountain on the Italian side of the frontier and solemnly planted tho Italian flag on it, naming the peak, “ Monte Benito Alusso- • lini.” The action aroused the ire of French patriots, who engaged a party of Monte Blanc guides, who equally solemnly planted the tricolour at the top of, the highest peak, actually in France. The patriots took an otali to the effect that Mont Blanc, which was French, should always remains French. BROADCASTING. LONDON, Aug. 10. Empire broadcasting is likely to be threatened by questions of copyright. Air Ala re use lias already received warnings, but is hopeful of overcoming tho difficulties. ; lie declared: “It would be unfair : to make me responsible for,.the music i I broadcast, because it is merely an experimental and not a. revenue earn- j ing scheme. Listeners do not pay any. license for listening to my pro-1 grammes. AY he re the music is design-! edly broadcast outside Britain, the. tntenialioiuil Copyright Law is inline dint oi’y concerned. A song may lie copyrighted in one foreign country, as , well as in England. It may be copy- | righted in several, or throughout the world. This means that many are I interested in royalties. Some are j agreeable and waive objections, lint, others arc not.” Air Ala reuse lias completed bis station to-day. The generators have been started, and everything appears unt-is-i factory and will be ready for an in- j itial test in a week. ]

LINKING UP THE EMPIRE. LONDON, Aug. 16. Mr Anthony Hankey, representing the AA’ireless Association of Britain, is shortly going to the Dominions in connection with Empire broadcasting. It is intended that the visit should culminate in the formation of an Empire Broadcasting Association, dealing with every aspect of the- matter. Afr Kellawav, Director of Afarconi’s, in a letter, emphasises that, the problem is a technical’ one. “ AA r e and the Marconi Company are already considerably experienced in the use of ashort wave, and as keenly interested as anyone in the successful inauguration of Empire broadcasting, but I am convinced that it may be gravely prejudiced if the Corporation yielded to premature ill-considered action. Their policy, with which wc are scientifically associated, is grounded on a fundamental desire to serve tho cause of Empire consolidation, by the intelligent use ol wireless,. Nobody disputes admittable sentiment behind tiie amateur relay, but 1 have grave misgivings concerning the effect of early expressions of the wonder which wii’l soon be repaid by disillusion and disappointment. On the contrary, when engineers of the British Corporation and ourselves complete their work, wo may confidently expect that the ultimate solution of the problem throughout the world.” The controversy is carried a further stage by Air Hugh Pococlc, Editor of the AA’ireless AA’orld. who says: “I foresee the future of an Empire service. provided by a high power shortwave transmitter in England and rebroadcasted through local stations in. the Dominions and Colonies. Tt Is likely that each reception area will, have- to insi<al more, than one short wave receiver, at points a short distance apart, combining the results of reception ns n loca.l transmitter. liecause experience shows shat- Oadmjs may ho minimised by this method, which needs experimenting, necessitating the Dominions making their own arrangements, but in order to do so tßey must have transmissions, to listen to.. It is imperative that a transmitter should bo established without delay. Firstly, experimentally, and gradually developing with the Dominions’ cooperation. until perfected. There is more work to be done in tile Dominions than at the transmitting end.