LEAGUE MATCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 122, 25 May 1934, Page 3

LEAGUE MATCHES.

BROADCAST ISSUE.

MINISTER PROMISES HELP

HOURS EXTENSION UNLIKELY,

Efforts are to be made by the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Postmaster-General, to arrange for the broadcasting of Auckland League football match results 011 Saturday afternoons. In advising a deputation this afternoon that he would ascertain if the service could be fitted in with the programme of IYA or ] YX. the Minister said that it would be competent for IZB to undertake the work by a readjustment of its present programme. which would not involve an extension of the present schedule of hours.

-The deputation consisted of representatives of the Xew Zealand Rugby League council, the Auckland Rugbv League, the IZB Listeners' Club, the United Listeners' Club, and the Xew Zealand Federation of Listeners.

Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P. for Grey Lynn, who introduced the speakers, said the League had a substantial following in Auckland, and was the only code that could hold its own against a race meeting. The Broadcasting Board harl not treated the code fairly in refusing P. broadcasting privileges.

Mr. A. Rosser, president of the IZB Listeners' Club, which, lie sai<l, was distinct from the "Friendly Road," asked that the club be permitted to relay Auckland League and Association results for two hours on Saturday afternoons. Station IYA, he pointed out, was committed to the broadcasting of Rugby Union results. The coverage possessed by IZB would enable League results to be sent out in daylight to all parts of the province. "Tense Feeling." 011 behalf of tiie Xew Zealand Rugby League council, Mr. E. Stall worthy- said that weekly attendances at club matches averaged between 10.000 and 15,000, and the attendance of 3.3.000 at 0110 representative match was probably a record for Xew Zealand. The council was concerned over the broadcasting ban, 011 account of the country patrons of League, and letters of complaint had come, from all quarters. Tense feeling had been aroused, and it seemed tha't if the League were not given the privilege it had last year, a good many licenses would be dropped.

Mr. G. Grey Campbell, president of the Auckland Rugby League, said that in the past the League had not paid for the broadcasting of the code results, and it had not been paid for tliem. The code considered it was worthy of being approached by the Bioadcasting Board for "the announcement of its results along with those of other interests.

The representations were endorsed by Mr. A. Thompson, president of the united Listeners' Club, and Mr. fl. B. Arthur, of the New Zealand Federation or Listeners.

Mr. I. Meltzer, treasurer of the IZB Listeneis Club, asked for an extension of 10 hours weekly to enable a sports programme to be broadcasted and other gaps to be filled in.

Station's Hours. "I wonder if Station IZB has not let me down sometimes," said the Minister in the course of his reply. "In response to the representations of Auckland people the station was given a license, which no other B station was given, for a definite purpose—to -broadcast the 'Friendly Road' service. Station IZU was in existence, giving a service that was appreciated widely. ' Station IZB was allowed to increase its power up to 200 watts, the determination at the time being that it would not be a broadcasting service, but a 'Friendly Road' service. We have not done that for anyone else in New Zealand, and we felt pretty sure at the time that it would get us into trouble. We have no objection to the 'broadcasting of League football results, and we are willing to help you in that. We have no objection to IZB trying to fit them in with its programme. But the station does not want that; it is asking for an extension of 10 hours a week. A Voice: Give us 2J hours for Saturday. The Minister: If IZB can fit in the hours, it can broadcast the results for you. It has the facilities and we have no objection. Mr. Lee: Are we not entitled to a share of the national service? The Minister: I will discuss that fur you. We may be able to get it through IYA or IYX. But IZB can still make provision for you. I think it has more hours than IZR had. We don't want to increase the hours and powers of B. stations in New Zealand. We don t see the wisdom of changing our present policy. The Minister added that on the request for the broadcasting of League results he would approach the Broadcasting Board on his return to Wellington. He might be able to help them as a result.