RADIO LISTENERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 10

RADIO LISTENERS.

MOVE TOWARDS UNITY.

REDUCTION IN FEES SOUGHT

A meeting of the United "B" Stations Listeners' Club decided this week to take the necessary step to alter the name and rules of the club in the direction of eliminating all provision for financial assistance to "B" stations, and to eliminate the words "B Stations" from the club's name, thus constituting it us a general listeners' club.

Mr. R. H. Bartley, who (.'resided, mid the club had been formed hint ye*r and had 1024 members, but, owing to the ban on the broadcasting: of records from B stations, it was impossible t.> continue to function on the original basis. At the same time it should be recognised that the other and general interests of listeners lmd been increased twenty-fold, and if listeners were to obtain a better broadcasting service in t lie Dominion their only course was to' work through an organised body. It would be a mistake, therefore, to disband, after having established a useful organisation. In a wider sphere the club could continue to give service to listeners of an even greater value than in the past. An outline of the changes which were desired in the interests of listeners was given by the vice-president of the club. Mr. A. Thompson. He said that listeners should have a voice in the election of the Broadcasting Boar<l, and, although they might approve of the present members, the method of appointment was wrong in principle. The fees charged were too high. Listeners should not be required to pay 30/ to-day, as in more prosperous times. Although the number of listeners had increased there had been 110 reduction in the annual fee, and it appeared that nothing but a united protest would suffice to obtain some revision.

"We arc not united," Mr. Thompson said, "and not until we have Dominion unity will we be given better service than wc have to-day. Listeners should work together to get improved programmes, to obtain a reduction in annual fees, and to get an elective broadcasting board." Mr. E. H. Sutherland, secretary of the club, presented a financial statement which showed that the total receipts to May 5 were £123 14/, a;nd the total payments £116 10/6, leaving a> credit balance of £6 IS/6. The payments included £50 3/S to the five B stations, IZM, IZQ, IZS, IZJ and IZB, which, prior to the ban, were giving 73 hours' service a week. The money had been allocated on the basis of 13/9 an hour. An explanation of the changes necessary to put the club on a new basis was given by Mr. R. P. Hunt, honorary solicitor. He said the best course would be to amend the constitution, instead of winding up and starting afresh on a new basis. A resolution providing for the necessary changes was then carried. The chairman said he thought the subscription for members should not exceed 1/ a year, and that all listeners should join the club to enable it to speik with a voice representative of the;..- united interests.