History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/Louis Edward Walker/Notes

1905 10
Walker's visit to Australia and New Zealand announced (widely reported around Australia) "WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. AUSTRALASIAN EXPERIMENTS. MARCONI COMPANY'S PROJECTS. LONDON, Wednesday Night. An effort is to be made to introduce the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy into Australasia. Captain Walker and two electrical engineers, on behalf of the Marconi Company, are sailing for the Commonwealth at an early date. They hope to be able to communicate by means of the wireless system between Tasmania and New Zealand, and Australia and New Zealand. A Bill relating to wireless telegraphy was passed, by the Federal Parliament recently, and is now awaiting the Governor-General's assent. Briefly stated, the object of the measure is to secure to the Commonwealth the exclusive privilege of establishing stations for the purpose of transmitting wireless messages in and to and from Australia, but licenses to erect and use stations and appliances for the purpose of transmitting or receiving messages by means of wireless telegraphy may be granted by the Postmaster-General. Senator Staniforth Smith has given notice of his intention to ask tomorrow the Minister representing the Postmaster-General the following questions:— '1. Is it the intention of the Government to allow a private company to instal a wireless telegraphy service between Australia and New Zealand? Would not such a service seriously deplete the revenues of the State-owned cable between Australia and New Zealand, and thereby increase the financial responsibilities of the people of Australia? 2. If the establishment of any wireless telegraphy stations in the Commonwealth are deemed necessary, would it not be advisable for commercial, national, and defence considerations that these should be owned and controlled by the Commonwealth?' The answer to these questions, it is expected, will indicate the policy of the Government."

Sydney's Australian Star page 1 announcement of Walker's visit per cable "WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. To be Established in Australia. MARCONI'S REPRESENTATIVES COMING. (OUR SPECIAL MESSAGE.) LONDON, Wednesday, 2.55 p.m. Captain Walker and two electrical engineers on behalf of the Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Co., are starting for Australia. They hope to establish communication between Tasmania and New Zealand and Australia and New Zealand."

Sydney's Australian Star wraps in commentary the announcement of Walker's visit "WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. It is doubtless but a question of time, and of no long time at that, when that 'invisible girdle' of which Signor Marconi has given the first hint will be placed round the earth. Australian waters are to receive the benefit of the system which the ingenious Anglo-Italian, or rather Irish-Italian, was 'born to introduce.' As will be seen from a cablegram of this morning, Captain Walker and two electrical engineers of the Marconi Co. are coming southwards for the purpose of establishing communication between this continent and Tasmania, and also with New Zealand. As to the comparative ease with which these feats can be accomplished there of course can be no doubt now. The transmission of wireless messages across the Atlantic may be said to have settled the question as to the possibilities of the new use which was being made of the electric fluid. The famous boast of the 'scientist' of ancient days was that he could move the world itself if he could find something on which to rest his leverage. Wireless telegraphy will not be hampered in its future processes by any difficulties as to the something to rest upon, the connecting links in the various stages of expansion which await it. The crowning achievement by-and-bye will be the sending of a message across the Pacific through these 'couriers of the air.'"

Melbourne's The Age reports that PMG not aware of Walker's visit "WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. NEW ZEALAND, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA. LONDON, 5th October. In connection with the negotiations which have for some time past been in progress for the establishment of wireless communication between New Zealand and Australia, it is announced that the Marconi Company is making a direct move. Captain Walker, accompanied by two electrical engineers, is starting for Australia with the hope of arranging to establish wireless communication between New Zealand and Tasmania and Australia and New Zealand. (The Postal department has received no information as to the projected visit of representatives of the Marconi Telegraph Company. No arrangement has been made by the Postmaster-General to that effect. When seen last evening, Mr. Chapman said be knew nothing of the scheme.)"

Perth's Daily News in repeating Walker announcement notes he was previously superintendent of telegraphs in Ceylon "WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. EXPERTS VISITING AUSTRALIA. A SCHEME OF COMMUNICATION. LONDON, October 4. Captain Walker, who was at one time superintendent of telegraphs in Ceylon and has held other high positions in the telegraph service, will, accompanied by two electrical engineers, shortly visit Australia on behalf of the Marconi Co. He hopes to communicate by means of wireless telegraphy between Tasmania and Zealand, and Australia and New Zealand."

Perth's West Australian indicates that Walker a member of the I.E.E. "WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. THE MARCONI COMPANY. PROPOSED OPERATIONS IN AUSTRALASIA. London, October 4. Captain E. O. Walker, M.I.E.E., and two electrical engineers, on behalf of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company, will shortly leave London for Australia. They hope to establish wireless communication between Tasmania and New Zealand, and between Australia and New Zealand."