Better Broadcasts To S.-E. Asia Urged

Press, Volume C, Issue 29633, 2 October 1961, Page 10

Better Broadcasts To S.-E. Asia Urged

(NX. Press Association) : • DUNEDIN, October 1. It was important for New Zealand to have a powerful radio voice beamed into South-east Asia to assist in promoting trade and in advertising the Dominion, said a number of speakers at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Radio DX League at Dunedin on Saturday.

Members were discussing statements made recently in Parliament by the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Kinsella).

Mr Kinsella said that it was not possible to extend the transmission hours or increase the power of Radio New Zealand transmitters because the cost would be prohibitive. Mr A T. Cushen (Invercargill) said New Zealand must pay more attention to the affairs of South-east Asia. He cited thte Dominion’s close relationship with S.E.A.T.O. countries and said the people in this area could not learn anything about New Zealand over the radio because there was no service.

At present Radio New Zealand has two transmissions for overseas listeners. The first is broadcast to the Pacific. Island from 6 p.m. to 845 p.m. and is repeated to Australia from 9 p.m. to 11.45 p.m. During the day pro-

grammes from 2YA are relayed. “There is no provision for listeners in South-east Asia to hear Radio New Zealand at a suitable time,” Mr Cushen said. The programme to Australia closed at 11.45 p.m. which was 7.15 in Malaya—“far too early for listeners there and in countries further west.” Trade Promotion

Referring to the promotion of trade with Asian countries, the president of the Otago branch (Mr F. S. McKenzie) said that a regular radio voice was a definite need.

“We should tell the people of those countries about ourselves in the same way as all other countries do by radio,” he said. Mr J. F. Fox (Dunedin) said: “New Zealand’s voice

on the international broadcasting band is just a ‘tin whistle’ in comparison with those of other countries of the Commonwealth. The power’of Radio New Zealand’s two transmitters is 7J kilowatts.

"Radio Australia has long recognised the importance of having a strong air voice in South-east Asia and now has four 100, two 50 and two 10 kilowatt transmitters broadcasting to the world from 8 a.m., through to 5.30 a.m. the next day. “Emphasis is placed on programmes to South-east Asia, where a daily service from early morning to Late at night is broadcast.” the president (Mr K. A. Mackey* said.

“Radio New Zealand provides an excellent service to the Pacific, Australia and North America and it would not cost much more to extend a transmission to Southeast Asia. The majority of programmes are recorded in advance.” It was decided to write to the Minister and ask that the F>ower of both transmitters be increased and that transmission time be extended for listeners in South-east Asia.