TV without fees

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33777, 25 February 1975, Page 1

TV without fees

During the last six months, 17,000 people in Christchurch have had notices giving them 48 hours to pay their television licences — or else. The number of backsliders on licences has astounded inspectors who have completed a house-to-house check in the city. This showed that 10,000 people had been using sets without licences — and 3000 of them have colour sets. The total amount of money owing in fees exceeds $250,000. The regional engineer of

the Post Office (Mr D. M. McFarlane) said yesterday that court proceedings against 70 people had already begun, and another 500 would probably be prosecuted. Inspectors called on 36,000 homes during the check, and had to make repeat calls on 18,000 because no-one was at home. Mr McFarlane questioned the effectiveness of the present arrangements for licences. He suspected that many firms which were required

to notify the Post Office about the purchase of colour television sets had failed to do so. He thought the position would be more effective if the onus of obtaining licences fell On the user of the set. This would obviate anomalies connected with rental sets. He said inspectors had been subjected to considerable abuse from some householders, who apparently preferred to withhold payment of their licences until threats of court action were made.