N.Z,-LONDON PHONE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1930, Page 6

N.Z,-LONDON PHONE

1 PREMIER TALKS WITH ; ! MINISTERS AT WELLINGTON.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association*

WELLINGTON, November 18

Another link in the chain of Empire communication was forged this evening when a small gathering in Parliament House, Wellington, took part in conversations with the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, and .his party,at their official quarters in London. .For nearly an hour, London -and Wellington were in constant touch by means <jf the wireless telephone. The occasion was unique, for it marked what Was probably a record long-distance Wireless telephone connection. Although at times the voices faded, the reception at each end was remarkably clear. On many occasions, those at Wellington might have been speaking to someone on the opposite side of the street, arid sometimes a voice from London, coming through with great force, could be heard all over the room.

: The final tests commenced at seven o'clock ,and for some, time,Sydney and Wellington spoke together to gain an assurance of good contact, when the ' time ;came. to cut: out all other,s„_ and; trip the ,heart otVthe Empire. At last, the A vay was clear, and Sydney put ithrough Wellington’s .first \‘tqll! ; ’ call to. London. 'tfhosAin Hie foom anxiously for' several minutes, ' and then the bell at the elbow of the Acting-Prime Minister rang. . Mr)-.Ran-som lifted the receiver and said:— “Hullo George! ; ,How-,£«> .you.:*:’ .. | As if from another plan#,'' but. yet with the clarity of a nearby business caller, a voice at the other* 8 end echoed: “Hulio! Good morning!” For a little while conversation was carried on with difficulty, but Mr Ransom was able to tell the Prime Minister about a. cable that he had received from London that morning; Then the communication became better, and Mr Forbes informed his listener that he had just returned, from Scotland, and that the weather '/had been very cold. Everyone: m the party was well, lie said, and they were looking forward to leaving ? for New Zealand. ... Gy.“What is the time over .: there ; Mr Ransom .risked, and the reply*comeback : “Twenty .minutes to nine in the morning!” . %ie, clock in the room, twelve hours ahead of' London , show*; iiig the identical hour. / A few brief moments’ conversation then took place between Mr Forbes and Sir Apirana Ngata, who greeted His chief with: “Is that you George Tenakoe!” The reception was becoming increasingly better, and Mr Forbe’-s voice from London sounded round the room as he returned the greeting. He-asked if everything was well' in New Zealand, and he received the replyt “Kqitepai!” Sir Thomas Sidey then came to the telephone and, Sjr Apirana i “Hullo, Sidey! : Attorney-General .here !”- - Sir Apirana is acting in that capacity during the absence of Sir Thomas:. : A few personal questions-, were exchanged.

. , QUERY ABOUT THE CUP! , Mr F. D. Thomson, the Permanent Head of the Prime Minister’s Department asked what horse' won the New Zealand Cup, and he was told that tne dinner was Nightmareh. For nearly an hour, others in the room spoke to those of their family in London. An interesting few minutes’ conversation was held between Mr C. A. Berenson, the Head -of the External Affairs Department, who accompanied the Prime Minister, and his two small sons. Mrs Ransom also spoke to Mrs Forbes and Sir Thomas Sidey and Lady Sidey to their .son. Mr, A. E. Mulligan (secretary to Mr Ransom) and Mr T. R. Aikin (secretary to the Minister of Railways) also , spoke to members of the party. Mr Forbes then returned to the telephone,- and lie spoke briefly to tlie Minister of .Agriculture, Hon. Air Murdoch, whom lie told that he had visfted .Smithfield, as well ,as oilier places identified with the marketing of New Zealand produce. The Minister o'C Defence, Hon. Air Coblie, then spoke to Air Forbes. Mr J. AlcCombs AI.P. for Lyttelton ailsß spoke with tlie Prime Minister. It was almost 9.30 when the receiver was hung up, and Air, Forbes was told that it was intended to put him on to his home at Cheviot. AVellington was then cut out, and Air Ransom congratulated Air J. Robertson, Assistnat Secretary of~the P. and T. Department, and his staff, upon the success of the tests.

Air Robertson said that his staff had'worked hard, and they had to be: thankful that the conditions had proved so good.

LONDON TO CHEVIOT. PREMIER’S CALL TO FAMILY. CHRISTCHURCH, November 18. The first private conversation by wirless between Britain and New Zealand took place to-night, when the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon G. W. Forbes, and Mrs Forbes, spoke from J jpndon to members of their family at their home at Cheviot. The call came from “G.8.P., Rugby,” at 9.15 p.m. It was received by “V.L.W., Wellington,” and was transmitted by the Cook Strait telephone exchange, to Mr Forbes’s home. The return speech was transmitted by “V.L.W,” to “2.M.E., Sydney,” from which it was picked up by “tjf.B.P.”

After a little early difficulty, the speakers at each end were able to hear and recognise the voices at the other end as easily as in an drdinary telephone conversation.

Within the past few weeks, many tests of the system have been made, and probably in less than a week, when it is perfected, the wireless telephone will be made available to the public.

GISBORNE LISTENERSUN. GISBORNE, November 18

Wliat is believed to be the first wireless telephone message between private individuals in London and New Zealand was heard by a Gisborne amateur on a short wave set to-night. The conversation commenced shortly after eight o’clock, Hon. Mr Forbes speaking to Mr Ransom. The Prime Minister was later foollowed by members of the New Zealand delegation in London, talking to their families and relatives in New Zealand.

The reception was very loud and very distinct. The wave length was about 28 meters.

AT THE LONDON END

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, November 18

From a private room in the Savoy Hotel at 8.<30 this morning Hon. G. W. Forbes arid other members of the New ‘Zealand delegation spoke by wireless telephone- to the Cabinet room in Wellington, where members of the Cabinet, and relatives of tire members of the delegation were waiting.

The- conversations, which lasted an hour,; were very clear though there was a slight fading towards the end. The call was arranged at the special request, of; Mr Forbes and it is hoped to. be |the forerunner of regular Anglo- ■ New Zealand services.

Mr Forbes was afterwards switched on to his hometsead at Cheviot, Canterbury.