IMPERIAL WIRELESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL WIRELESS.

COMPROMISE REACHED. MR. HUGHES SAVES SCHEME. AUSTRALIA TO DECIDE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, August 2. Mr. Hughes succeeded to-day in rescuing the wireless and airship schemes from the most adverse possible position from the Australian viewpoint. He is arranging that the Commonwealth Parliament shall decide its special phases in its own way. When the conference met it was quickly apparent that the majority favored the adoption and exploitation of the Norman scheme for wireless with a range of 2000 miles. Mr. Hughes was the only determined opponent. The facts laid before the delegates showed that the capital cost of establishing the scheme was heavy, while, in the case of Australia, the annual loss m working was estimated at £20,000 in addition to £50.000 deficiency on the existing wireless installations. Mr. Hughes pointed out that this loss would be accentuated by the fact that each relay tookrtoll of the revenue. Mr. Hughes continued that the Norman scheme provided five relays between Australia and England. The Norman scheme did not provide communication with Canada, the United States, China, or Japan, whereas a system bridging the air between Australia and England would embrace also every country of importance in the world. Under the Norman scheme, in case of a jamb. Australia being at the end of the line, would* be the last to receive [ news from abroad and the last to get 1 her information past the obstacle. A long discussion ended with a compromise, the Imperial authorities and other Prime Ministers agreeing to allow Mr. Hughes to refer the matter and all the facts to the Federal Parliament, on whom the responsibility would be thrown for establishing connection with Britain by whatever means it approved. Received August 3, 5.5 p.m. London, August 2. Each Dominion will be responsible for its wireless installation and the control of its special sphere.