BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1928, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

IVEAAL WIRELESS DISCUSSION

A'usit.alian l’hoss Assn.—United Service

(Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, -May 21

In the Commons Mr Baker (a Bristol Labourite) raised a discussion on Imperial beam. He detailed all the history of wireless since 1923 and said he understood the merger between Marconi Company and Hastern Cable Company was a calculated attempt to force the 'hands of the (lovermnent. They hoped to take over the Host Ofiiee wireless and cable system and control independent wireless and cable companies in the Dominions. The fact was tlie Marconi Company knew how great were the potential profits of the Government beam service. It is understood ’that the Dost Office service though only in its infancy "’as already showing a handsome profit. The vahle companies were frankly afraid of the success of .the beam, and entered a merger as the only way of escaping competition. Baker objected to bn- | perial wireless communications being handled bv two groups, of which >• alleged one had a record of scandalous mismanagement. If it was a I act that a decision bad been reached in this matter bv the Imperial Wireless Conference, "then the Government .had adopted a course which was fatal to national interests and the chief result of the conference had been to enrich the share manipulators. ‘•I want to submit to tlie House caonly and quietly that Marconi's name of an illustrious inventor, stands definitely for scandal and corruption. It >s lamentable that a scientific inventor should have his name abused, but the fact remains that Government difficulties are due almost entirely to the financial 'operations of Marconi’s m the Dominions. The gravest possible eh a rwes are made in regard to Marconi operations in tlie Dominions. Distinguish,ed members of the Commons have s;i.id things. I dare not- repeat, unless there is proof and 1 must leave the matter there. The merger is definite and calculated to attempt to force the hands of the Government and the attempt is accompanied by a treacherous threat on the part of companies to pay out shareholders and cease operations. and let cables go derelict. They threatened this, because, after_ receiving generous Government assistance, they were unable to compete with Government beam service. Opposition s great fear was that recommendation had been agreed to by a conference aiul that when the Dominion Governments aquiesced they would have | found the bargain concluded.” Baker concluded by asking the. Government to say why the Secretary for Scotland was asked to look after the Government interests. lie was conspicuous for geniality and courtesy, but these were no weapons to meet an international gang. _