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In reply, I have to inform you that it is considered desirable that any wireless stations in the Dominion should be wholly under the control of the Government. It may be stated that it is the intention of the Government to establish wireless stations on the coast in the near future, and one ai least of these will be a long-distance station. Under these circumstances it is not proposed to prescribe conditions for the establishment by a company of a wireless-telegraph station in the Dominion. I have. &c., J. G. Ward, Minister of Telegraphs. S. twin Crookes, Esq., Electrical Engineer, 15 Palmerston Buildings, Queen Street, Auckland. Tel. 09/344(26).] No. 3i>. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the lion, the Prime Minister of ihk Commonwealth, Melbourne. Sin. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 29th November. 1909. With reference to your letter of the 29th ultimo, regarding proposals that have been made from time to time for the installation of wireless telegraphy in the Commonwealth and in New Zealand, and in which you advise that a suggestion has been made by the Vice-Admiral in Command of the Australian Squadron that the station at Sydney (the erection of which i.s now under consideration) should be a high-power Station, having a range of not less than 1,000 miles. I have the honour to inform you that the question of installing wireless telegraphy has been receiving the consideration of the Government quite recently, and it is highly probable that action will be taken during the next veai to erect one or more stations. \ high-power station having a range of 1,000 miles falls short by aboul only 200 miles of the range necessary to maintain continuous wireless communication between the Commonwealth and New Zealand. Under these circumstances it occurs to me that it would be sound policy to equip the bighpower .stations so as to be able at all times to reliably communicate between the two countries. As the whole distance is only aliout L.200 miles, the extra expense would be insignificant compared with the advantages of having a reliable means of communication always available. Although there may be no present need to handle commercial wireless telegraphic traffic, a condition of increased security would exist if it were known that the stations on both sides of the Tasman Sea could at any moment be used for such a purpose. Although nothing definite has yet been decided as to the site of a long-distance wireless station in this Dominion, it has been considered that Doubtless Bay or that locality (aliout two hundred miles north of Auckland) would be the most suitable place lor such an installation. A range of 1.200 miles would reach Australia. Fiji. Solomon Islands, the .New Hebrides, the Kermadecs, and other places where, later on. wireless installations will no doubt be introduced. If a wireless station that would reach Fiji were established, and there was a similar station at Fiji, it would be possible to take up commercial work if faults developed in the sec ions of the Pacific cable. Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia, to Norfolk Island. The proposal, therefore, to creel wireless stations in Australia and in New Zealand of such a range as to maintain continuous communication is one in which I am disposed to co-operate, and when dealing with the question of the erection of a long-distance station, consideration would be given to having it of a suitable range, and in such a position as to exchange communications with a similar installation in Australia. I have to thank you for the copies of forms for the tenders and for the general conditions. I have. &<•.. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Melbourne. .1. (i. Ward. I Acknowledged 9th December, 1909.] I'l'd. Oβ :>l Iα , !)). I No. 40. The lion, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, Melbourne, to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 29th November, 1909. High Cum mission , ion for Western Pacific advises will send representative Wireless Telegraphy Conference, due in Melbourne 15th December. Informed date named suitable for us. Colonial Office. Pacific Cable Board, sending representatives. Glad your decision early. [Tel. 09/344(28).] No. 41. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the lion, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington. 2nd December, limit. N'kw Zealand will be represented at Wireless Telegraphy Conference. [Tel. 99/344(28).]
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