The Imperial Conference has been considering Empire communications. The crux
of the situation is, of course, wireless. It is two years now since it was decided to create an Empire wireless chain of high power stations erected here for direct communication with other high power stations in the Dominions. Since that time Canada has actually granted licences to the Marconi Company for the establishment of stations at Montreal and Vancouver, and in Australia tenders have been invited for stations capable of communicating with Great Britain direct. Unfortunately it is this country which lags behind. The Post Office has developed objections to granting licences to a private company, but it shows no tendency to establish a station itself. The whole story is an almost unbelievably glaring instance of Government failure to get anything done. The problem is undoubtedly a most important one. It is not too much to say that the future of the Empire depends upon its communications. It would be disgraceful if the views expressed by the Dominion Premiers at the Conference were not put into effect before the winter is out.
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