25-
COLONEL WILLAN suggested that in any sanction given to the
local governments to develop their services that it should be
definitely specified that no development should be allowed which would
cause diversion of traffic from the existing cable systems, and
instanced the proposed wireless link between Hong Kong and
Japan which would result in a diversion of traffic from the
existing cable system to wireless.
SIR PHILIP CUNLIFFE LISTER said that in the particular
case mentioned the Colony would not in fact be obtaining a more
useful service as the cable service was sufficient for their needs.
MR. VERNON raised the question of radio-telephone services and
asked whether there would be any objection to the development of
these services by the local governments.
MR. PHILLIPS stated that the diversion of traffic to radio-
telephone services would not be great and suggested that if
negotiations for taking over the Government wireless services by
Imperial and International Communications Limited were to cease,
he thought that the local governments should be allowed to develop
local telephone services.
MR. VERNON pointed out that telephone services from Singapore
to Bangkok and Batavia would be of considerable advantage to the
commercial community in Singapore.
CAPTAIN MURRAY drew attention to the fact that the Communications
Company had been prepared to provide such services in Hong Kong and all
reasonable development of wireless services.
SIR PHILIP CUNLIFFE LISTER said that he saw no hopes of reaching
agreement between the local governments and the Communications
Company since the proposal to erect high power stations had been
abandoned, unless he were instructed by the Cabinet to order the
Governments to complete negotiations on the ground of high Imperial
13.