* * * * * * * * * *
OFFICIAL REPORT of the
Second Annual Convention of the
Wireless Institute of Australia
Held in Perth in 1925 – at 6WF

    Mr. B.M. Holt   M.I.E.S.  (Chairman)
    Mr. H.A. Stowe                 (NSW Delegate)
    Mr. B. Jermyn Masters   (VIC Delegate)
    Mr. P. Oakley Fysh          (TAS Delegate)
    Mr. Clement E. Ames       (SA Delegate)
    Mr. W. Phipps                   (QLD Proxy Delegate)
    Mr. H.A. Stowe                 (QLD Proxy Delegate)
    Mr. W.E. Coxon                (WA Delegate)
    Mr. A.E. Stevens              (WA Delegate)
    Mr. J.C.W. Park.               Hon. Secretary.

Page 1
OFFICIAL REPORT of
Second Annual Convention of the Wireless Institute of Australia
Held in Perth, August 7th and 8th, 1925.

Delegates assembled at 6WF at 2.30pm.   The notice calling the Convention was read.  
Delegates presented credentials and the roll was called.

The following were present:   Messers Bernard M. Holt (in the Chair) H.A. Stowe (NSW)
B. Jermyn Masters (VIC) P.O. Fysh (TAS) Mr. Clement E. Ames (SA) W. Phipps (Proxy QLD)
W.E. Coxon (West Australia) A.E. Stevens (WA) and J.C. Park. (Convention Secretary.)
A message from Queensland was received appointing Mr. Stowe a proxy delegate with Mr. Phipps.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.
Mr. B.M. Holt:   On behalf of the WA Division of the Institute I wish to extend a hearty welcome to the
State, to the visiting delegates.   We feel very proud of the fact that this State should have been chosen
for the second Wireless convention, more especially as we are numerically the smallest State. 

The amateurs and experimenters are achieving great results in experimental work, in two way working
and in many other branches of the science.   As a result we cannot now be looked upon as an enthusiast
who fritters his time away.  

I notice too that the P.M.G. and Mr. Malone are awaiting the results of the convention.   This fact in itself indicates the consideration we may hope to receive when resolutions are subsequently submitted.  

Some years ago the old educationalists use to consider the three "r's" - reading, writing and rithmetic - sufficient, but modern day teachers have added another "r".   Now education is not complete without a knowledge of reading, writing arithmetic and radio.  

MESSAGES OF LOYALTY AND GREETING.
Mr. Stowe:   I bring with me from my Division a suggestion that if possible we should arrange to transmit
per radio a message of loyalty to the King of England, and congratulatory messages to the Radio Society
of Great Britain and to the president of the American Radio Relay League.   Our division was keen that
these should go through.   Such an action as this would tend to make the conference more prominent before the eyes of those interested in the science.   I wonder if we do realise the importance of this convention.  
I think we will find afterwards it will have far reaching results; more far reaching than we perhaps realise.

Mr. Phipps:   If you wish to send these messages, I have made arrangements with 6AM to send them this afternoon.   He will transmit them to 2HT if possible.

Mr. Coxon:   I think it would be a good thing.   Some few years ago, when radio in Australia did not concern any other country it did not matter so much, but now seeing that communication between countries is an
every night affair, it would be well to send the messages indicated.   Once started at this end, we would be finished with it.   It would then be left to others to sit up all hours of the night to finish it off (Laughter.)

Mr. Stowe:   I MOVE "that this meeting of delegates from the whole of the Commonwealth expresses its loyalty to the king of the British Empire of which we form a part, and that congratulatory messages be
sent to the Radio Society of Great Britain and the ARRL."
Mr. Ames:   I second the proposal.   The motion was carried.

MINUTES.
The minutes of the last convention were read and confirmed on the motion of Mr. Stowe, seconded by
Mr. Masters.

DELEGATE’S EXPENSES.
Arising out of the minutes, Mr. Phipps said: We were under the impression that the £20 was to pay the expenses of our delegate but we have not forwarded the money to the convention.  
Mr. Stowe:   It was told me, so far as my expenses were concerned they had been sent over.  
Mr. Masters:   There was no Federal body to send the £20 to.   Mr. Stevens:   It was understood I think
that each State was to provide £20 for their delegates but there was no need for us to worry as the
convention was being held in Perth; except that we were expected to entertain the delegates.   You I take
it are under the impression that each State is to provide £20 for a central fund.  
Mr. Stowe:   That would enable the closer states and those further away to average out the expenses.  
It appears to me a fair way of doing things.   Whether a division sends delegates or not, under the last convention they are liable for the £20, but the trouble is there is no Federal body to receive the money.  
It is for the representatives here to say whether they are prepared to do that.  
Mr. Masters:   I suggest we leave this until after Item 13 on the agenda.  
Mr. Phipps:   I second.   The motion was carried.

Page 2
AGENDA ITEMS.
NO. 1.  
NO. 1A.  
Page 3
NO. 2.  
Page 4
NO. 3.  
Page 5
NO. 2.   (re-considered)
NO. 2A.  
NO. 2B.  
NO. 3A.  
Page 6
NO. 4.  
NO. 5.  
Page 7
NO. 6.  
Page 8
NO. 6A.  
NO. 7.  
Page 9
The Convention adjourned at 5.20pm for dinner, and re-assembled at 8pm.
NO. 8.  
Page 10
NO. 9.  
Page 11
NO. 10.  
NO. 12.  
Page 12
NO. 13 and 13A.   Mr. Masters was given permission to hold these over until the following morning.
NO. 14.  
Page 13
NO. 15.  
Page 14
NO. 16.  
NO. 17.  
NO. 18.  
NO. 19.  
NO. 20.  
Convention adjourned at 10pm until 10.30am Saturday.

Page 15                                                             THIRD SESSION
Message.
Mr. Masters:    I move that conference send greeting to the Chief Manager Mr. Malone expressing our willingness to cooperate with the department in the administration of the wireless telegraphy regulations.   Mr. Stevens:    I second.    Motion carried.

NO. 13.    “Uniformity of Institute’s rules and formation of a Federal Executive.”
Mr. Masters:    I desire to move that we immediately form a Federal Executive of the Wireless Institute
of Australia.   This is I believe the main item on the agenda paper.

To form a Federal Executive we must have uniformity of the various constitutions of the states.
As far as the Federal Executive is concerned I would suggest President, secretary and treasurer and a
board to be comprised of one representative from each division.   The scheme is taken broadly from the ARRU.

The executive will do the routine work and on matters of policy each of the Board members will be communicated with either by letter or radiogram and a majority vote will decide.

We were thinking the President of each division would be a good man for the Board, but I think each
division should make its own decision.

As far as the constitutions are concerned we can take the NSW constitution on account of that one being
the only incorporated body.   We ascertained that NSW were altering their constitution and immediately asked them to hold it over until after conference.   Showing the spirit of co-operation which is coming about they were only too glad to do so.

Broadly the suggestion of Victoria is that some provision should be made for affiliated clubs. When NSW incorporated affiliated clubs were not then known.   Another thing we would like to see in Victoria is
provision made for students.   NSW did not see the force of catering for students, as they have two grades only, members and associates.   They consider that associates cover everything but we are anxious to see
the word student come into the constitution because we realise that the future members of the institute
must come from the now small boy.  

Our suggestion was that anybody at all whether he knew anything about wireless or not, so long as he had ambitions to learn would be taken in as a student at a nominal fee of about 10/6 a year.   An associate is a
man who has a certain qualification but is not qualified to become a full member.

Going back to the affiliated clubs, we have a scheme whereby the affiliated clubs will have to a slight
extent a say in governing of the division.   Our scheme is that the affiliated clubs should have a Clubs’ Council, comprised of two delegates from each of the various clubs.   This body will have its own
chairman and officers.

This committee of the affiliated clubs will send two members to the Board of the Institute.  
They will not be able to hold executive office, but it will give the affiliated clubs direct representation on
the council of the division.   We would like to see them charged a reasonable fee because the fee NSW is charging - £1/1/- does not pay for the All-Clubs night, once a month.   The affiliation fee will have to be a reasonable fee because of giving them a say in the deliberations of the Council.

Mr. Stowe:    I wish to outline briefly the conditions in NSW.   As yet our articles do not provide for
affiliation except that they allow us to be affiliated with bodies of similar interests.   We have found it advisable to have something binding over anybody who becomes affiliated with us.   We are a registered
body and it is necessary to have some control in point of law and to make them subscribe to our articles.

In NSW clubs paying £1/1/- become affiliated with the Wireless Institute and it gives them representation
on the affiliated council consisting of two delegates from each of the clubs.   The institute provides the chairman of that council.   That club has power to send on recommendations to the institute which are dealt with by the executive council, but they have no seat or authority on the executive council.

Recommendations from the affiliated council to the executive council are invariably dealt with seriously
and we think twice before we turn anything down.   The institute thus has the final say on any subject
brought forward by the affiliated Councils.   That is really the only connection the affiliated body has with
the Institute.

Page 16.
It enables us to bring certain matters before the clubs as a whole with a certain amount of ease.  
If anything crops up of vital importance to the clubs our executive hands the matter over to the affiliated council to deal with.  

The affiliated clubs have no say at all in the domestic policy of the Institute.   The suggestion
Mr. Masters made that the affiliated council should be represented on the Executive council is one worthy
of consideration.   I think I can say that NSW will be willing to fall in with that.

One of the main alterations proposed in our constitution is a provision to in some way make affiliated clubs bound to the articles of our association.   We have not yet considered definitely in council the alterations which we propose making in the articles, so that it amounts to this; that whatever we decide here will be acceptable I think to NSW.

What will the affect be on affiliated clubs when we say they are under definite obligations?   I am inclined
to believe we will loose some of the affiliated clubs.   There is already mutterings and rumblings which may
or may not break out. I think the majority of Clubs are open to reason and are approachable.   We are beginning to feel in NSW that it might be just as well to let the Clubs go on their own.   Nevertheless the dearest wish of the Institute is that we should speak with one voice.

Mr. Coxon:   The position in the East is apparently similar to our own.   The question of affiliated clubs started with the talk of affiliation to the Institute.   At that time affiliation was desirable as we had communications from Mr. Malone saying he wanted decisions representing the majority of experimenters here.   Counter proposals were put up and at one meeting it seemed that the Institute was being asked to affiliate with the Clubs.   Some simple rules were eventually agreed to.   These gave all affiliated clubs representation on the Board presided over by the President of the Wireless Institute.  

The object of the Board was to deal with matter which concerned the experimenter as a whole.   We don’t interfere with domestic matters but clubs have to submit their rules on affiliation.   This condition has been
in operation for probably 12 months now and seems to have worked well, probably because there has not
been much to do.  

The previous arrangement which was never accepted was to give affiliated societies one or two delegates
who attended the meetings of the Institute whenever any matters were to be discussed concerning the amateur generally.   There objection to that was that the Club was represented by one delegate and he had against him the full council of the Wireless Institute.

At that time it was not seen that with the increase of the number of affiliated clubs it would soon be that the council would be dominated by the affiliated clubs.   That was turned down and rather than see the clubs without a central body it was decided to ament the rules.  

At the present time we have 12 clubs affiliated, the one most far away being about 300 miles distant.  
During the last few months the membership of the clubs has dwindled down and some are just about existing.   The affiliated body however has done useful work during the year.

Mr. Ames said:   I think the position in SA is the same as in the other States, but there are few clubs other than the Institute.   I do not think it will be long before the newly formed clubs are affiliated.   It is provided
in the rules that wireless societies and clubs may become affiliated with the Institute on payment of £1/1/-
a year.   This entitles a club to one members privileges in the Institute and to the technical advice and assistance of its members.   The policy outlined by Mr. Masters is a good one and SA will be only too
pleased to assist in the matter.

Mr. Fysh:   In Tasmania we are in the same unfortunate position of having two capitols, Launceston and Hobart.   There is a Radio Experiments Club in Hobart and in Launceston there is a branch of the wireless Institute.   The latter is composed of a President and secretary and members of the radio experiments Club.

The proposal we had in mind was to form a central body composed of two members from each club and called the Tasmanian division if possible.   It is necessary to have seven members under Tasmanian law but we can get those.   There is not sufficient interest in radio to carry out the scheme outlined by Mr. Masters of affiliated clubs but we can get over that by composing the council of members of the clubs.   The formation
of a Federal Executive has the support of Tasmania.

Page 17
Mr. Phipps:   According to information received it appears as that there is a division of opinion in Queensland.   However I think that Queensland would back up the proposal of a Federal Executive.  
It  is certainly something we want.   This matter of representation of affiliated bodies must be gone into carefully.   I do not know whether Queensland are in the same postion as we are; possibly they are.  
We must not loose sight of the fact that the Institute is a Federal affair and the Clubs are restricted by
the State.   There are bound to be clubs starting a great distance from the central body.   If affiliated they would want representation.   Are we going to force them to pick there delegates from the Institute or to
select delegates from outside clubs.   I think the body you affiliate with should be asked to appoint the
proxy delegates.   We should consider too whether Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia can
afford to take out articles of association.

Mr. Stowe:   In Queensland there are three bodies and all equally as strong.   There is the Wireless
Institute, the Society of Radio Engineers and the Experimenters Radio Club of Queensland.   We got,
after some fights had occurred with the clubs, the Director of Radio to say that he only recognized the Wireless Institute.   Now we simply say the Institute is the only recognized body.  
I realise that the question of registration will be a serious one for some of the States.   If everything is
uniform however it will make things much easier in the future.

Mr. Masters:   There is the matter of incorporation.   We realise it will be hard financially for some states
to register under the local companies act.   Evan if they do not at the moment we see no difficulty in that.  
We do not feel it is essential that the constitution should be word for word alike so long as they similar.  
So long as the divisions adopt the constitution to be formed here I do not see there is any necessity at the present time for the constitution to be registered.  

Then there is the question of the affiliated clubs.   We have gone through a bad time during the last six months.   If the affiliated clubs don’t like why the Institute do they ignore it and we have no ‘comeback’.  
We cannot compel the club to obey the resolutions of the Council.    Is why we would like to have them represented on the Board, even if it is only two seats out of nine.   Thus they would have a direct say in
the domestic policy of the particular division.  
Mr. Phipps mentioned outlying clubs.   That has nothing to do with the Institute.   It is purely a matter for
the affiliated committee.   They would have to arrange proxies to the affiliated committee and the
committee would have a say in filling the two vacancies on the Board.

Mr. Coxon:   Here every club has one delegate.   Under your scheme all clubs would have two.

Mr. Masters:   In Victoria we felt the the affairs of the amateur experimenters were being run by those
who were not experimenters, being purely B.C.L.   Two clubs in particular with a membership of 150 had
80% b.c.l. and we were afraid that they eventually would get the reins of government and crowd out the
man who should be a member of the Wireless Institute.   Thus many men join a club and call themselves members of the Wireless Institute.  

At the present time there is no standardisation in membership, which is one of the things we want to see brought about quickly.   Fancy a boy who has made a crystal set and belongs to a Club going to England, meeting Mr. Eccles President of the Radio Societies of Great Britain and saying he was a member of the Wireless Institute of Australia.
I MOVE:
•    “That a Federal Executive be formed, consisting of President, Secretary, and Treasurer as executive
and a board comprised of one representative from each division.”
Mr. Fysh:   I second that.   The motion was carried.

Mr. Stowe:   I am just wondering whether there should be a postal ballot for federal executive.  
WA of course ceases to be the Federal centre at the end of the Convention.  

Mr. Masters:   Members of the executive should be elected here.   It would not do to have the President
of SA the Treasurer in Tasmania plus the Secretary in WA.   They must all be elected from the one State.
I MOVE:
•    “that the executive officers be elected each year by the Federal convention and that all three officers should be resident within one State”.   This was seconded by Mr. Phipps and carried.

Page 18.
Mr. Stowe:  
I MOVE:
•    “that we consider the place of meeting of the next annual convention.”
Mr. Fysh:   I second.   The motion was carried.

Mr. Masters:  
I MOVE:
•    “that it be held at Sydney next year about July.   Some of the Eastern States have been put to great expense in coming over to hold the convention in WA.   In Victoria we feel we should take it turn about –
East and West.   Furthermore if we hold it in Sydney next year we may have the chance of bringing in Queensland.   Mr. Malone said to me, VI don’t care what you do else, but put a bomb under Queensland’.  
To get Queensland to attend the next convention would I think be very desirable.
Mr. Ames:   I second the proposal.   The motion was carried.
EXECUTIVE BODY.
Mr. Stevens:   I MOVE:
•    “that the executive officers be appointed from the division in which State, the following convention is to
be held.”   Mr. Fysh:   I second.  
Mr. Masters:   I think, eventually we may have to alter it.   For that reason I will vote against it on behalf
of Victoria.   In Victoria we have no feelings as to where men come from but it is not desirable I think that
it should be in the report of conference as a direct motion.
Mr. Stevens:   If the convention is to be in NSW and the executive is in WA there will be no cohesion
between the two.
Mr. Masters:   I fear I am at a disadvantage in speaking for an interested State.   I feel that the executive officers should be at the seat of Federal Government.   Take for argument if the Federal Executive was in Perth and the Government wanted a recommendation in a hurry.   They could not get it even in a fortnight, whereas on the East coast we could get a division vote in 24 hours.  

I MOVE:   as an amendment
•    “that the Federal Executive should be at the seat of Government.”
Mr. Stevens:   It would be futile to have the Federal Executive here.
Mr. Phipps:   If one of the jobs of the executive is to arrange tests we don’t want to have an executive wandering all over Australia.   There is the scientific research as well as the domestic point of view to be considered.
Mr. Stevens:   I withdraw my motion with the seconder’s permission.  
The amendment was not proceeded with.

NOMINATION FOR EXECUTIVE.
Mr. Stowe:   I wish to nominate as President, Mr. Phil Renshaw.
Mr. Masters:   I support that.   Motion was carried.
Mr. Stevens:   I nominate Mr. Stowe as Treasurer.
Mr. Coxon:   It would save expense if a member of the executive could be a delegate too.
Mr. Stowe:   I think that could be arranged.
Mt. Phipps:   Seconded the motion which was carried.
Mr. Masters:   This being the first election of the Federal Executive,
I MOVE: “that the election of Secretary be left in the hands of Mr. Stowe in conjunction with the present to deal with upon his return to NSW.   It will be no good nominating a man unless we know he is willing to act.”
Mr. Stevens:   I second.   The motion was carried.
Mr. Stowe:   I sincerely appreciate the position, because it is a big thing you are giving into my hands; a weapon I could use as I liked with solid results.   I can assure you Mr. Renshaw and myself will do the best possible.   In Mr. Renshaw we have a man whose dearest wish is to see the Federal Executive functioning properly.
Mr. Stowe:  
I am under Dr.’s orders regarding work and I would appreciate it if I had the power to transfer the Treasurership should I be unable to continue.
Mr. Masters:   The Board should fill all vacancies.
Mr. Fysh:   I MOVE:
•    “that the Federal Council have the power to fill all vacancies occurring on their executive.”
Mr. Masters:   I second.   The motion was carried.

CONSTITUTION OF EXECUTIVE.
Mr. Stowe:  
•    I move that the constitution of the Federal Executive be drawn up by the Federal Council and be
submitted to each State for ratification.”   Mr. Masters seconded and it was carried.

Page 19.
NO. 13A    “That provision should be made for delegates to attend all future international conferences.”
It was resolved that this matter be referred to Federal Council.
OFFICIAL ORGAN.
Mr. Masters:   It has been forcibly been brought before conference that we want some means of keeping
all members of the Institute in closer touch with each other than has been the case in the past.        More.
Page 20.
Conference adjourned at 1pm until 1.45pm.
CONSTITUTION.
The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NSW Division were accepted as a guide.      More.
Conference adjourned at 5.40pm until 7.30pm.
Page 21.
NO. 8.   “Scientific research as affecting the different divisions of the Institute.”
NO. 21.  
NO. 22.  
Page 22.
Mr. Fysh:   Power line interference is a sore point in Launceston.
NO. 23.  
NO. 24.  
NO. 25.  
NO. 26.  
NO. 27.  
SHORTHAND WRITERS FEE.
It was agreed on motion of Mr. Masters, seconded Mr. Phipps that each division be supplied with two
copies of report and bear one sixth the cost of production.
COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT.
Mr. Stevens:   I wish to record our appreciation of the assistance given at all times by Mr. Malone.  
From what I can understand from the conferences which have been held in Melbourne we have in
Mr. Malone and his officers, staunch supports of the experimental movement.   Mr. Fysh supported the motion which was carried.
THE NEW FEDERAL PRESIDENT.
Mr.   Stevens said that WA wished to express its appreciation of the work of Mr. Renshaw.   It was
because of his interest, that the convention came to WA.   WA though small in numbers would be a big
factor in the Institute's activities.
PRELIMINARY WORK.       Page 23.
I would like to record on the minutes the appreciation of the delegates in the manner in which the
WA Division carried out the preliminary work.   We in Victoria thought we knew how to run things but
I assure you it has been an eyeopener that such a division as numerically small as WA should run it so well.
Mr. Stowe:   Its not hard to second this.   The nearer we came to the State the more we heard of it.  
It is very nice to connect by radio but it is so much nicer to be able to talk through the air to a man we have met face to face.   I cordially endorse what Mr. Masters has said regarding the reception here.   I cannot
find words to express what I feel.   We appreciate very highly the manner in which you treated us and we
can only hope to return it in a tiny fraction when you come over there.
THANKS TO CHAIRMAN.
Mr. Fysh:   I would like to move a vote of thanks to Mr. Holt for his work in connection with the convention.   No one could have done better.
Mr. Ames:   I deem it a pleasure to second that.   This convention has done a lot that will help to cement
the brotherhood of experimenters throughout the Commonwealth.   Carried.   Mr. Holt briefly responded.
THANKS TO 6WF.
Mr. Stevens:   I wish to record a vote of thanks to 6WF who have been kind to the division in putting the building at the disposal of the Convention.   I wish the secretary to convey the thanks to the management.
Mr. Ames:   Not only the WA division is indebted to 6WF but also the visiting delegates of other divisions.
Mr. Coxon:   The station is prepared to give experimenters every help and is prepared to assist those who through lack of funds cannot purchase expensive parts.   They are prepared to loan articles within reason.   That information was conveyed to me a few days ago.   The vote was enthusiastically carried.
Conference concluded at 10.30pm.
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS.
Reported by
Frank H, Goldsmith.
Under instruction from
Convention Committee, Wireless Institute (WA Div.)