P. AND T. ACT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18180, 17 September 1924, Page 8

P. AND T. ACT.

AN AMENDING BILL. THE BROADCASTING SCHEME. (SPBCIAL TO "THE PBXSS.") WELLINGTON, September IC. The Post and Telegraph Act Amendment Bill provides for a fine on summary conviction not exceeding £IOO or imprisonment not exceeding one year in eases where any person wilfully makes any false statement in respect of the use of a telephone with intent to defraud the revenue of the P. and T. Department, or who, with intent to defraud such revenue, uses in tho operation of any telephone for the use of which payment is required to be made at the time of use by means of a coin or coins anything whether a coin or not other than a coin or coins of the value fixed in respect of tho use of that telephone. Power is to be taken to make regulations as to the inspection of telegrams sent, either the originals or office copies. Dealers in wireless apparatus are to be licensed, and must keep a record of all sales jnade, such record to include the date, name, occupation, and address of the purchaser. An offence in this respect will make the dealer liable to a fine of £SO. Portion of the fees received in respect of wireless _ telegraphy licenses may be applied in assisting broadcasting agencies. For the purposes of this section, the Minister is empowered to enter into an agreement with any such person or company for the payment of portion of the license fees received in any period of not more than five years, but any such agreement may from time to time be renewed for a further period or for further periods not exceeding five years at any one time. The recipient must, during the currency of the agreement, maintain a service to the satisfaction of the Minister.

The term "broadcasting" is defined as follows:—"The transmission by wireless telegraphy of approved programmes of matters of entertainment, instruction, or information of general interest capable of being received by apparatus of a kind for the installation and use of which licenses have been issued under the principal Act, and the several amendments thereof relating to wireless telegraphy." The regulations prescribing fees in respect of licenses in relation to wireless telegraphy may differentiate as between licenses or classes of licenses, having regard to the purposes for whioh any license or class of license is to he used, the location of the apparatus or its distance from a broadcasting station or any other relevant consideration, and regulations prescribing the am° un ts or proportions of fees that may be paid in respect of a broadcasting service may likewise differentiate as between licenses and classes of licenses.

There is a clause in the Bill extending the authority of the PostmasterGeneral to pay moneys at the credit of Ihe account of a deceased depositor in the Post Office Savings Bank without requiring probate or letters of administration.