APPROVAL OF REPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21245, 27 July 1932, Page 13

APPROVAL OF REPORT

BOARD'S POLICY OUTLINED EARLY ACTION PLANNED ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS In commenting on the report of the Broadcast Coverage Commission, the chairman of tho New Zealand Broadcasting Board, Mr. 11. D. Vickery, in a statement issued yesterday, said the advisory council of the board approved of the report as adequately handling tho whole problem and indicating the most practicable policy of development. The report was comprehensive and should do much to remove somo popular misconceptions. In regard to the recommendations, of the commission, Mr. Vickery stated tho board would immediately set about carrying out tho first of the proposals. Already outside expert advice had been sought regarding the transmitting apparatus at 2YA, which was being investigated by a highly qualified engineer from abroad. The installation of the 100-watt standby transmitter recommended by the commission would be proceeded with as soon as the apparatus could be obtained. No time would bo lost in procuring apparatus necessary for testing tho sites for proposed new transmitting stations at Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin. Specifications would be prepared as soon as practicable, tenders would be called, and a new station of tho type and power recommended would be 111 operation in the vicinity of Christchurch long before the end of 1933. The agreement between the board and the Government in respect of payment for the assets of the Badio Broadcasting Company had not' yet been completed, but the conditions and terms of payment were practically settled and were quite reasonable from the board's point of view. The matter was now sufficiently advanced to enable the board to make a rough surA'cy of its financial position and it could be taken that the board would be able to start its new technical programme with 'S.ome degree of confidence. "It is proposed also," stated Mr. Vickery, "to increase the transmitting hours at IYA, 3YA and.4YA to bring those stations into line with 2YA. The three stations named should all be observing the extended hours within two months' time." The board had decided to assist a number of B stations financially and where practicable, by providing relays. Already action had been taken as regards stations at New Plymouth, Invercargill, Palmerston North, Greymouth and Hamilton. Negotiations were proceeding in the case of Masterton and the board was looking into the claims of other stations in the localities ill-served by the national stations. It had been definitely decided that no financial assistance should be given to B stations in the four centres. Such a decision did not mean that the board lacked appreciation of the service rendered by some of the city B stations, nor did the board desire to sec all of these stations go out of action. It jiieant, however, that the boa.rd considered its first duty was to endeavour to afford service to licensees in places where poor reception of the YA stations obtained. In regard to power interference, Mr. Vickery said the board would not shirk its responsibilities and would do its best to follow the lines suggested by the commission. OBJECTIONS TO POLICY * POSITION OF B STATIONS STATEMENT BY MR. L. A. EADY The policy of the New Zealand Broadcasting Board in regard to B class stations in the four main cities, as outlined by the chairman, Mr. H. D. Vickery, was commented upon last evening by Mr. L A. Eady, who is connected with station IZRi ' . "To thousands of listeners who have been accustomed to tune in to B stations it will come as a shock to learn that no provision has been made for the continuation of supplementary programmes from these stations," said Mr. Eady, who referred to the large urban population which was in tho habit of listening to such programmes. '"While the chairman of the board is reported to have stated that the department did not wish the B stations to go out of existence, and did not_lack appreciation of the services rendered by some of them in the cities, he has also intimated that it has been definitely decided that no financial assistance can be given them. "This decision will disappoint thoso interested in such broadcasting in view of the statement bv the former PostmasterGeneral, Mr. J. U. Donald, who said that private stations would have careful consideration. The station I am interested in, IZR, has provided from 40 to 50 hours of programmes a week, and this position is typical of other B stations, which have been carried on in the hope of some contribution from tho board toward the cost of operation." As far as could be judged by the report published, tho commission appeared to have considered the area coverage to be of greater importance than the time coverage, which was of greater importance to city listeners. At present thousands of listeners in Auckland, which was the most, populated district in tho Dominion, had programmes provided from 7.30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Unless the board considered extending thfi hours of tlic YA stations, which were from 3 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., and 011 Sundays from 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., there would be largo gaps unprovided for. City listeners were entitled to the service they at prosent enjoyed. , . Urban areas were also accustomed to alternate programmes which B stations had provided, and some listeners were used to tuning in to other attractions When the main stations were broadcasting boxing, wrestling or olliel* SpOl'lS. Tllfl main stations could not develop the same amateur talent that smaller stations could. "No city B station can possibly continue without some assistance or its operations will have to be considerably cur--1 ailed." concluded Mr. Eady. "It is hoped that the board will review the position in regard lo city areas to give satisfaction to urban listeners."