Television

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 3

Television

Sir, —It is private enterprise which is pressing for the introduction of television, so let the radio manufacturers and advertising firms pay for it. And let viewers have a constant reminder in their homes of the standard to be expected from uncontrolled private enterprise. The record of the N.Z.B.S. shows that any promises given regarding television advertising would not be honoured. Commercial radio was accepted reluctantly here, and only after solemn assurances were given. But now advertising influences the whole system. During the last two years I have lived in the Greymouth, Timaru, and Hamilton areas, where there are no alternatives to commercial radio. Even in the main centres there is no attempt to stagger programmes, so the alternative to chatter is more chatter. The YC’s cater exclusively for a handful of cultural snobs. The N.Z.B.S. attitude is, “If you don’t like it you can turn it off.’’—Yours, etc., VARIAN J. WILSON. January 6, 1960.

The Director of Broadcasting (Mr J. H. E. Schroder) comments as follows: “If the correspondent had stated what assurances were given that have not been honoured, it would be possible to answer him. Where he is explicit he is inaccurate. The Greymouth station, 3YZ, is noncommercial. The Timaru station’s evening programme is non-com-mercial, and many listeners in its area can hear alternative programmes, also, from outside it. The Hamilton station, it is true, is full-time commercial. A regional alternative has been under consideration for some time, as representative Waikato bodies know; but other developments, in North Auckland, Central Otago, and Buller, where no station is well received, have necessarily been given priority.’

Sir,—Mr Holyoake promises a lot about television, but he had plenty of time to put telephone exchanges in order, and failed miserably, so I suppose it would be the same with television. Let whoever is in power concentrate on telephones before attempting the other. Neither political party has anything to its credit when considering the fact that people have been unable to get a telephone for many years. It would be interesting to know how far back the applications go. Perhaps private enterprise is the answer.—Yours, etc., ON THE WAITING LIST. January 12, 1960.