RESTRICTION OF BROADCASTING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23411, 19 August 1941, Page 10

RESTRICTION OF BROADCASTING

NO . OPINION OFFERED BY ASHBURTON BOARD

Wiihout more-definite information on the prospect of bulk electric supply generally, the Ashburton Electric Power Board is not prepared to offer an opinion, in • the meantime, on the restriction of radio broadcasting hours, with a view to conserving electricity. The Banks Peninsula Electric Power Board wrote to the Ashburton Board yesterday, forwarding a copy of its reply to the proposal of the Power Boards’ and Supply Authorities’ Association that hours of broadcasting by national and commercial stations in both islands should be restricted to conserve electricity. The reply said that the Banks Peninsula Board strongly disapproved of the resolution because the shortage in one .area should not be met by reducing the revenue of authorities in an area where there was no shortage.

The chairman (Mr E. F. Nicoll) said that the finance and works committee was of the opinion that the objection of the Banks Peninsula Board should be supported, but not on the grounds mentioned, fie added that the en-gineer-secretary (Mr H. G. Kemp) thought that the peak period for this year was over and there was now not,-such a heavy drain on the main generating stations. Mr J. W. M. Dart stated that he could, not see why the commercial broadcasting stations should “blaze away” from 6 o’clock in the morning till midnight. “It is definitely not necessary in the South Island. We know there is a difficulty in the North Island, but that difficulty is, for the time being, diminishing as time goes on,” said Mr Nicoll. Cutting off North Island broadcasting stations would not help as North Island listeners would tune in to South Island stations, he added. . ■ Several members considered that the national instead of the parochial view should be taken of the question. On the motion of Mr W. Bryant, it was decided to reply to the Peninsula Board in terms, of the opinion stated and to add that no doubt the matter would be debated at the Power Boards’ Conference next month.