WHAT'S WRONG WITH RADIO ?

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 115, 18 May 1927, Page 11

WHAT'S WRONG WITH RADIO ?

AUCKLANDERS' CANDID

COMMENTS.

CHIEF GRIEVANCES STATED.

URGENT REMEDIES SUGGESTED.

What is really wrong with broadcasting in New Zealand? During the past twelve months there has been so much complaint and. criticism that it is evident that a large number of people who have taken up radio are dissatisfied. To find the causes for this dissatisfaction, and to obtain suggestion for remedying it, were the objective of recent inquiry among a number of dealers in wireless apparatus, and a further number of purchasers. Even to the large body of the public who have but a passing interest in radio, the results of these inquiries will be of interest. Many people are not aware that broadcasting in the Dominion as a commercial venture, is a monopoly, a company with its headquarters in Christchurch, having been granted the sole right to receive revenue from the annual license fees of alf who operate receiving sets or engage in the wireless trade. From this company much was expected, but little, seemingly, has been received. In a recent article in the Christchurch "Press" it was stated that the service in New Zealand was giving "almost universal satisfaction." Those to whom this comment watreferred in Auckland consider that the remark should be "almost universal dissatisfaction." Locally there is a very general opinion amongst those who should be competent to judge and to compare, that the service from the Auckland station in particular, has fallen far short of expectations. Two critics ,went so far as to state that in general items given it is worse than when the old IYA was operating from Scots Hall, and when performers of the best type that Auckland can produce willingly gave their services gratis. Of course, in those not yet remote days, broadcasting Svas a novelty, and artists were glad to try the experience ol it; now it is an established commercial undertaking, and they want remuneration^ Where is Our Talent?

There is general agreement amongst those interrogated that the best talent of the city is not being used. It may be that this talent is asking too much; it may be that the management is offering it too little. Certainly listeners are convinced that they are not hearing it. Cominw down to particulars, a wellknown Auckland musician, who is also a radio enthusiast, points out that one hears a monotonous repetition of the same items, often poorly rendered. The same songs and the same humour are served up far too frequently, and those in control should insist that artists, when engaged, should enlarge their repertoire. One artist emphatically states that the fee paid for broadcasting isn't worth this expense; in fact, compared with an engagement, even for a country concert, it isn't worth considering.

Everyone is willing to admit that there are bright spots in our radio pro* grammes, but these bright spots are very few. The Municipal Band relays come in for. the highest praise, but they occur only once a fortnight. There is a municipal concert on the alternate week which would make wonderful radio fare, and which could be secured, no doubt, if it is paid for. A professional gentleman states that recently he delivered a lecture from IYA.,. He was approached to extend this one into a series. Naturally, he remarked that for such, with their necessary preparation, he would require payment. He was informed that payment would not be forthcoming. Neither were further lectures from him. A business man sums up the programme position thus: "From the Auckland district alone there must be now an annual revenue of over £10,000, which the Broadcasting Company is receiving. Surely that is enough to pay interest and depreciation on all capital expenditure, and to provide at least three times the paltry sum that is expended locally for artists, even if, as well, Auckland has to 'carry some of the baby , for the south, where listeners are fewer." Government Control.

The question of direct Government control, as exists in Queensland, is exercising many interested folk. Will it be better? The reply is met in several instances with the query, "Can it be worse?" "Look what Britain is doing! Both the U.S.A. and Australian Commonwealth are considering it." A dealer is most emphatic. Broadcasting, in his opinion, is a legitimate avenue for State enterprise, and it is a pity that it is, or ever was, in private control. The Post and Telegraph Department, aided by trained and experienced men on the programme, technical, and managerial sides, is capable of running a much better outfit than we now have. Some interviewed, however, are inclined to think that red tape will cause more radio interference than there is at present.

This interference question is one of the most burning complaints. Dissatisfied with New Zealand programmes, the valve set owner seeks the fine entertainment provided from Australia, and too frequently finds himself "blanketed." One of Auckland's earliest band of listeners compares the conditions produced by the present wave-lengths to an Irish stew. Almost everything in New Zealand and Australia' is jammed into a band of about 84 meters, when there is a.% least three times that wave available, and when the new Wellington station gets going- conditions will be worse. "If the Department intends to force us to listen only to our own stations," remarks one listener, "it is certainly adopting the correct wave-length policy. Otherwise their action beats me. What is needed, and needed immediately, is a Commonwealth and Dominion conference, to provide a sensible readjustment of all wave-lengths. Wait till Wellington starts, and completely blocks Wellngtonians from bearing Australia. Then you will find complaints." Thus, and into other aspects which need not be dealt with, runs the general gCOwl. What does the radio public want? These briefly, are the improvements which, representatives of it suggest :—We need better programmes, and we deserve,them —now, not next year; more talent, more variety, and later, when these have been given, longer hours of broadcasting. Until the first two are provided, though, an extension of the broadcasting time would be a burden rather than a benefit. We need some change from a monopoly which we support, but in the control of whose service to us we have no effective voice. We most urgently require an adjustment of the wave-lengths that will give us a real freedom of the ether, and a chance to select our programmes from the best that is on it. It seems, thus,' that if the radio service in New Zealand is giving almost universal satisfaction, Auckland must be excluded from the universe.