103750-1926-Supplementary-Bills-read-a-first-time--Supplementary-Appropriation-Peak-Tramway-Amendment-Wireless-Telegraph-Midwives-Amendment — Page 6

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8. This Ordinance shall come into operation on the Commence- 10th day of September, 1926.

nient.

9. The Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance, 1913, is Repeal of repealed.

Ordinance No. 20 of 1913.

Objects and Reasons.

1. One of the principal objects of this bill is to make it necessary for receiving sets to be licensed. This is accomplished by amending the definition of the term

telegraph" so as to include apparatus for receiving as well as apparatus for sending. This follows the policy of the Wireless Telegraphy (Explanation) Act, 1925, 15 & 16 Geo. 5, c. 67.

2. The other principal object of the bill is to make it an offence to maintain, or possess, a wireless telegraph station without a licence. The present Ordinance makes it an offence only to establish a station, or work appa- ratus, without a licence. It will be noticed that the term wireless telegraph station" is defined in the bill as including any apparatus which have been installed for the purpose of being used for wireless telegraphy.

3. The opportunity has been taken to shorten and simplify the arrangement of the present Ordinance. For example, the whole subject of the licensing autho- rity and the form and conditions of the licences is relegated to regulations to be made under the Ordinance. In the present Ordinance this matter is scattered over four sections.

4. The definition of the term "wireless telegraphy in the present Ordinance contains a proviso to the effect that nothing in the Ordinance shall prevent any person from making or using an electrical apparatus for actu- ating machinery or for any purpose other than the trans- mission of messages. This proviso was inserted in the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1904 while the bill was in committee, the mover of the amendment urging that its addition was necessary to protect enterprise and scien- tific exploration from interference. The proviso was accepted without discussion, but it seems to have been of very doubtful necessity, and it has been omitted from this bill..

5. For the extraterritorial effect of the Ordinance in case of British ships registered in the Colony see the Wireless Telegraphy Order, 1908; Stat. R. & Ö., 1908, p. 960.

6. Clause 7 of the bill saves existing ship station Licences.

(

26th April, 1926.

J. H. KEMP,

Attorney General.