# History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/George Augustine Taylor/Notes
## George Augustine Taylor - Transcriptions and notes
### 1920s
#### 1920
##### 1920 12
#### 1921
##### 1921 12
#### 1922
##### 1922 12
#### 1923
##### 1923 02

Taylor fires the first salvo in his war on the AWA wireless combine
   BROADCASTING. Our Wireless Danger. Why Instant Action should be Taken to prevent a Monopoly. By G. A. Taylor. Wireless telegraphy, which should be one of the greatest blessings to Australia, has been in a muddled condition ever since its Australian introduction, over 13 years ago. It was in 1909 that the writer, recognising the importance of wireless to Australia, the land of wide distances, established the first military station at Heathcote Artillery Camp, with the assistance of Messrs. Hannam and Wilkinson, and two years later the Federal Government, having decided to take it up, began its history of mismanagement. A block of land of 40 acres was selected at Pennant Hills, and as it was covered with bush, a Sydney firm offered to clear it for nothing and give £250 for the timber. The Government, however, resolved to do the work themselves, which cost £4,000, including erecting two small buildings. The Government then decided to make wireless sets, so purchased the Shaw Works at Randwick for £50,000 for the purpose, giving £25,000 more than the works were said to be worth. The history of these works under Government control is a story of muddle, bungle and money wasting, until we find that up to December 1921 the annual loss had risen to about £75,000 per year. This scandalous state of affairs must have rushed Prime Minister Hughes to push forward the speedy adoption of an agreement with the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Limited, by which the Federal Government is paying that Company £500,001 for its interest therein; the company increasing its capital to £1,000,000; the Federal Government to have an equal number of nominees to the Board of Directors with an independent chairman. This proposal was pushed through the Federal Parliament, and more muddle came into the affair with the appointment of Sir Thomas Hughes, the Chairman of the Amalgamated Wireless Ltd., as the "independent" chairman. Owing to the wide public disapproval. Sir Thomas Hughes resigned and Sir William Vicars was appointed Chairman, the vacancy thus occasioned in the directorate being taken by the Prime Minister himself, evidently in order that he may do his best to see that the Federal Government gets a fair deal, and that no monopoly will be created detrimental to the public and the best development of wireless; for Mr. Hughes is well aware that Australians are always opposed to a monopoly of any kind, as it is recognised that monopoly cripples development, hence there must not be given any possibility of the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd., to secure a monopoly over the wireless industry. Whilst in Great Britain recently I noticed that the Marconi Co. were endeavouring to arrange for a great radio-combine that would control the world's wireless communication. It hoped to get the monopoly of the broadcasting stations of Great Britain, and by a number of more or less important patents, to keep other manufacturers out of the field, and so secure a tremendous business of supplying the public with "listening" apparatus. The British Post-Master General, however, at the instance of a number of British manufacturers, entered into an arrangement to enable the manufacturers to work wireless broadcasting, and so enable the manufacturers to work wireless broadcasting, and so enable the British Empire to hold its own in the competition in the wireless with America, Germany, and other countries, at the same time giving the Marconi Co. their share in the manufacture and sale of "listening sets," and payment of licenses for the use of whatever patent rights they may hold that might be required. Great Britain, therefore, has gone ahead in broadcasting, the arrangements for which should be carefully studied, so that similar arrangements be made as regards Australia. Briefly put, the system in Great Britain is that the Post-Master General has divided the country into a number of areas, each having a station which will be worked by a responsible party. Manufacturers were called together and formed a committee of which Sir William Noble, former Engineer-in-Chief of the G.P.O., is chairman. The manufacturers when called together, buried their individual jealousies, and six firms, namely, the General Electric Co., Marconi Co., Radio Communication Co., the British-Houston Co., Metropolitan Vickers Co., and the Western Electric Co., undertook to guarantee to find the necessary capital for erecting the requisite number of stations and develop broadcasting so as to best serve the public, and not interfere with the general transmission of messages; detailed particulars of which arrangement will appear in our next issue. There is a clause in the agreement that the Australian Government has made with the Amalgamated Wireless Limited, that so long as the agreement remains in force the Commonwealth will not impose any conditions or restrictions of any kind upon the operations of the company, "calculated to obstruct the business of the company." This has been interpreted by some to give the company the right of saying that any movement in wireless outside of its control is "calculated to obstruct the business of the company"; but as Mr. Massey Greene (for Mr. Hughes), in the Federal House, on the 7th July, 1922, stated that "the Amalgamated Wireless Co. had not been given a monopoly of wireless in the sale of apparatus and broadcasting," the leading Australian companies interested in wireless development should take advantage of the latter interpretation and get together without delay, as was done in Great Britain, in order to protect wireless as well as broadcasting from any chance of being a monopoly of any one company, and to frame conditions that will not hamper its best development. There are wonderful possibilities of wireless entering into every branch of the electrical industry; in fact, the whole science of telephony has recently been revolutionised, and widest scope should therefore be given to Australian electrical firms in pushing forward devices calculated to improve wireless development.
Proposed formation of the Association for Development of Wireless in Australasia
   THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF WIRELESS IN AUSTRALIA. The writer of the foregoing article, "Our Wireless Danger" (Mr. George A. Taylor) was the first military officer to be appointed in charge of Wireless and Aviation in Australia (1909) carrying out many successful experiments that are mentioned in the first paper on the subject before the Australian Military Authorities in advocating its adoption for military purposes (vide Journal of the United Service Institution (N.S.W.) 1910). Early in 1922, Mr. Taylor visited Europe, where he studied the development of Wireless, returning to Australia in December 1922, and publishing the foregoing article "Our Wireless Danger," 19th January, 1923. In reply to many letters received, the following letter was forwarded to the firms mentioned hereunder:— I have received the following request signed by a number of gentlemen interested in wireless: "Pleased to note your article regarding the danger of a monopoly in the Australian Wireless World, and agree with you that to prevent same, instant action is necessary on the part of all interested in wireless. "In view of your work in the initial history of Australian Wireless, and the fact that you have just returned from Europe, where, no doubt, you studied the latest development of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony and the great possibilities of Broadcasting, and also because you have no personal interests to serve other than to see all connected with wireless have best opportunity for development. I feel I am voicing the opinion of all who desire the best development of Australian wireless, if you will address at an early date a meeting on the subject." In accordance with the above request, a meeting has been arranged in the Library of the Royal Society's House, 5 Elizabeth St., Sydney, on Thursday next, 25th inst., at 4.30 p.m. Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd.; Mr. Hirst, British General Electric Co.; F. Basil-Cooke, F.R.A.S., Manager, Radio Co.; Western Electric Co. (Aust.) Ltd., (s) Australian General Electric.; William Adams & Co.; Electricity House.; Humphreys, Ltd.; Universal Electric Co.; Lawrence & Hanson.; Colville & Moore.; W. G. Watson.; Anthony Hordern & Sons, Ltd.; L. P. R. Bean & Co.; W. Harry Wiles.; Electrical Department, Grace Bros.; Electric Supplies & Engineering Co.; Warburton Franki, Ltd.; Burgin Electric Co.; New System Telephones.; Mr. Veitch, Magnavox Co.; Pitt, Vickery, Ltd.; The Editor, "Australasian Wireless Review."; Siemens Bros. & Co., Ltd.; W. J. Maclardy, Editor, "Wireless Weekly."; Metro-Vickers. The meeting was held at the Royal Society's House, Sydney, on 25th January, there being 22 present, amongst whom were:— Mr. Cooke.; F. E. O'Sullivan, O'Sullivan Electric Shop, 296 Pitt St.; W. Harry Wiles.; O. F. Mingay, Burgin Electric Co.; J. Carron, New System Telephones Pty., Ltd.; G. W. Sturges, Western Electric Co.; A. Garrod, G. & R. Electrical Co., Ltd.; Edward Hirst, British General Electric Co.; J. Wilson, Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd.; E. Jackson, W. G. Watson & Co., Ltd.; V. G. Best, Australian Radio Supply Co.; F. R. Rudd, Electric Supplies & Engineering Co.; W. J. Maclardy, "Wireless Weekly’" newspaper.
As previous, minutes of establishment meeting
   MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT THE ROYAL SOCIETY'S HOUSE. SYDNEY, JANUARY, 25th, 1923. The meeting was first addressed by Mr. George A. Taylor, who said that he had the honour of being one of the earliest enthusiasts in wireless, and being the first military officer to have charge of wireless development, he had carefully studied the present position of wireless in Australia, and had expressed opinion in an article recently published, in which he gave certain points why he considered instant action was necessary to prevent any firm or firms obtaining a monopoly of the industry as a monopoly in any movement crippled industrial enterprise. During his recent visit to Europe, he had carefully studied the wireless situation, and found that in France and Germany considerable attention was being given to the subject. In Great Britain, the industrial development of wireless had been greatly encouraged, and a number of firms interested in the manufacture of wireless apparatus and the various fitments, seeing the danger of not only monopolies being formed regarding control, and also seeing the danger of Government ineptitude with regard to permits, had got
   together to consider the best way by which the industry could be encouraged, at the same time help to prevent any interference with the sending of messages, in other words, to prevent "jamming." Seeing the possibility of trouble and confusion without proper organisation, Mr. Taylor published the article on "Our Wireless Danger," following which he was the recipient of a number of letters supporting his view on the matter, one of which he read as follows:— "Pleased to note your article regarding the danger of a monopoly in the Australian Wireless World, and agree with you that to prevent same, instant action is necessary on the part of all interested in wireless. "In view of your work in the initial history of Australian Wireless, and the fact that you have just returned from Europe, where, no doubt, you studied the latest development of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony and the great possibilities of Broadcasting, and also because you have no personal interest to serve other than to see all connected with wireless have best opportunity for development, we feel we are voicing the opinion of all who desire the best development of Australian wireless, if you will address at an early date a meeting on the subject. Mr. Taylor stated that the position in Britain was as follows:— The Postmaster General had divided the country into eight or ten areas, each having a station, and giving the most responsible manufacturers the right to work such stations. Some 30 or 40 manufacturers applied for this right, many of whom did not realise the expense of erecting broadcasting stations and also the greater expense they would have to meet in the continuous supplying of programmes that would interest the public, for unless there was a good programme, people would take little interest in broadcasting, and the industry would not develop. Six firms, namely, the Marconi Co., General Electric Co., Radio Communication Co., the British Houston Co., Metropolitan Vickers, and the Western Electric Co., undertook to guarantee to find the necessary capital for erecting the requisite number of stations, and a company was formed with a nominal capital of £100,000 with the stipulation that if that capital was not sufficient they would find the remainder in debentures, the stations to be put up in the name of the British Broadcasting Co., and not in the names of the individual companies; so that the stations will not compete with each other as far as artists and programmes are concerned. The company had to be satisfied with a certain nominal dividend, and should there be any surplus after a reasonable depreciation of their plant, it had to be put at the disposal of the Postmaster General for reducing licenses. Mr. Taylor explained clearly and concisely his reasons for calling the meeting and emphasised the necessity for co-operative action on the part of all those firms interested in the development of wireless throughout Australia, and then placed the following suggestions for the meeting to consider:— (1) That this meeting of wireless experts with power to add to the number form an Association for the best development of Australian Radio Science, and to consist of Radio Manufacturers and Traders in Radio materials. (2) That a President, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, and a committee be elected to place before the Association a working scheme covering the following points: (a) To further the devel opment of Radio Telegraphy, Telephony and other forms of Radio Science. (b) To protect the interests of radio-manufacturers and traders by arranging with Governments and other authorities regarding the earliest issue of regulations that will best assist the said radio manufacturers and traders as well as those who apply for licenses, at the same time protecting Governments and the public from any possible nuisance. (c) To use every means to popularise the many advantages of radio science not only with regard to supplementing or assisting the wireless telegraphy or telephone, but also by the earliest establishment of a broadcast ing station or stations. (d) To see that a fair field be allowed firms making or trading in radio apparatus and that all contracts entered into by Governments and other public bodies be open to investigation in order to prevent any monopoly which would hamper competition and development. (e) To provide technical and legal advice for members, specially dealing with patents and licenses regarding Radio apparatus. (f) To spread by means of lectures, pamphlets and other means in formation regarding Radio Science and act as a bureau of information in that respect. 3. That Interstate sections of this Association be formed with out delay throughout Australasia each with its own officers, but with a central executive to ensure general uniformity of conditions, so that State boundaries will not handicap the best development of Radio Science. In conclusion, Mr. Taylor said the foregoing were the principal points that appealed to him, and no doubt others would suggest themselves to those present, but he would recommend that in the appointment of the committee the example of Great Britain would be followed as far as possible, and to that committee there be elected the Australian representatives of those firms that had been elected in Great Britain. Mr. Edward Hirst (Managing Director, British General Electric Co.) congratulated Mr. Taylor on the step he had taken in calling the meeting, and eulogised his good work in wireless affairs. He proposed that Mr. Taylor's suggestion be carried out. Mr. J. F. Wilson (Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd.), in seconding Mr. Hirst’s remarks, stated that such an organization as suggested by Mr. Taylor was necessary and should prove advantageous to Australia generally. Mr. W. Harry Wiles also sup ported the previous speakers. He mentioned that although the firms suggested by Mr. Taylor to form a sub-committee showed good judgment they were not all manu facturers in Australia; Australian manufacturers and traders should also be included. Mr. Mingay mentioned that wireless concerns in Great Britain had set a fine example in co-oper ating for the general good, and hoped that Australian manufac turers and traders would without delay arrive at an amiable settle ment for definite development of radio sciences. On the motion of Messrs. Wil son and Wiles, it was then unani mously resolved that those pre sent, consisting of radio traders and manufacturers, form them selves into an Association for the best development of Australian Wireless. Mr- Edward Hirst then proposed "that Mr. George A. Taylor be elected as President of the Asso ciation," seconded by Mr. Basil- Cooke, and carried unanimously. Mr. Taylor thanked the meeting for the honor conferred upon him. Nominations for Hon. Secretary were then called for. Mr. O'Sul- livan nominated Mr. Mingay; Mr. Wilson nominated Mr. Basil- Cooke. On show of hands, nine votes were recorded in favour of Mr. Mingay, and eight in favour of Mr. Cooke. The President then suggested that both gentlemen be made joint Hon. Secretaries as there was much to be done, and arrangements could be made be tween them as to which one should be Hon. Treasurer. This was unanimously agreed to. The following gentlemen were then nominated to form a sub committee to prepare Articles of Association, etc. for submission to a further meeting:— Mr. Hirst, representing British General Electric Company. Mr. Wilson, representing Amal gamated Wireless (a) Ltd. Mr. Sturgess, representing Western Electric Company, and Mr. W. Harry Wiles. This sub-committee was given power to add to their numbers including representatives of the English companies mentioned. The above resolution was car ried unanimously. Mr. Wilson A.W. (A.) Ltd., in explanation, stated that his Company contend ed that a monopoly was not in favour with their policy, and stat ed that the British Broadcasting Co. had an absolute monopoly, he hoped that, such would not be the case with this Association. Mr. Edward Hirst, British Gen eral Electric Co., remarked that he was of the opinion that no such monopoly existed in Britain, as the Postmaster General there had the final say. Mr. Wilson replied that no firm could sell apparatus unless al lowed by the British Broadcasting Co. Mr. Hirst mentioned further that he would like this to be re corded so that in the future it could not be said that Mr. Wil son's statement was not contra- dicted. The President, in conclusion, stated that he was pleased to hear Mr. Wilson state that his Com pany was not desirous of having any monopoly; in fact, he trusted that the word monopoly would be eliminated from all transactions. He wished all connected with wireless in Australia every pros perity with every protection to themselves and the public and de
   clared the meeting closed.

##### 1923 12
#### 1924
##### 1924 12
#### 1925
##### 1925 12
#### 1926
##### 1926 12
#### 1927
##### 1927 12
#### 1928
##### 1928 12
#### 1929
##### 1929 12
### 1930s
#### 1939
##### 1939 01
##### 1939 12
### 1940s
#### 1949
##### 1949 01
##### 1949 12
### 1950s
#### 1959
##### 1959 01
##### 1959 12
### 1960s
#### 1969
##### 1969 01
##### 1969 12
### 1970s
#### 1979
##### 1979 01
##### 1979 12
### 1980s
#### 1989
##### 1989 01
##### 1989 12
### 1990s
#### 1999
##### 1999 01
##### 1999 12
## References

* ↑ Australasian Radio Relay League., "BROADCASTING. Our Wireless Danger. Why Instant Action should be Taken to prevent a Monoply.", The wireless weekly : the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 2 No. 5 (2 February 1923)), nla.obj-639689013, retrieved 15 March 2025 – via Trove {{citation}}: |section= ignored (help)
* ↑ Australasian Radio Relay League., "THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF WIRELESS IN AUSTRALIA.", The wireless weekly : the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 2 No. 5 (2 February 1923)), nla.obj-639689045, retrieved 16 March 2025 – via Trove {{citation}}: |section= ignored (help)
* ↑ Australasian Radio Relay League., "THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF WIRELESS IN AUSTRALIA.", The wireless weekly : the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 2 No. 5 (2 February 1923)), nla.obj-639689045, retrieved 16 March 2025 – via Trove {{citation}}: |section= ignored (help)
* ↑ Australasian Radio Relay League., "THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF WIRELESS IN AUSTRALIA.", The wireless weekly : the hundred per cent Australian radio journal, Sydney: Wireless Press (Vol. 2 No. 5 (2 February 1923)), nla.obj-639689045, retrieved 16 March 2025 – via Trove {{citation}}: |section= ignored (help)