VIA WIRELESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 June 1912, Page 5

VIA WIRELESS

THE NEW ZEALAND STATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The Hon. H. G. Ell, Postmaster-Gen-eral, arrived in Christchurch this morning. Mr. Ell received several private deputations in the Provincial Chambers. Regarding wireless telegraphy in New Zealand, Mr. Ell said that the erection of the stations at Tinakori Hills "(Wellington), St. Helier's Bay (Auckland), and Awanui (in the far north), is being pushed on. The Department is making the erection of these wireless stations a matter of urgency, recognising their value to people travelling by sea. The New Zealand coast line was a dangerous one, and the Department recognised its obligations in the matter by giving instructions for every expedition to be used in the establishment of the stations. The existing station in the tower of the Wellington Post Office had proved of very great convenience to shipping, even though it was not in a suitable position to establish communication over a wide range. Nothing was being done in regard to the New Brighton station at present. The Postmaster-General indicated plainly that the Department had no intention of licensing private experimental wireless stations in New Zealand. He pointed out that as messages had to be picked up it was absolutely essential that there should be only one controlling authority. Australia had put its foot down on private wireless stations, and the Americans recently furnished an instance of the confusion which these private stations caused. The Department, in the public interest, could not give concessions to private stations.