EMPIRE STATION

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 69, 14 December 1932, Page 9

EMPIRE STATION

New Broadcast Service 8.8.C.’s PREPARATIONS Approval of Government (By Telegraph.—Press Assu.—Copyright.) London, Dec. 12. In the House of Commons Mr. E. Doran (C.) asked whether in view of the fact that the British Broadcasting Corporation’s power was limited to the establishing of stations in Britain for the benefit of license-holders, the Postmaster-General would prevent further work on the Empire station at Daventry.

Sir H. Kingsley-Wood, PostmasterGeneral, replied that the corporation was authorised to establish such stations as the Postmaster-General approved, which was done in this instance.

Mr. Doran asked whether, in view of the capital cost. £BO,OOO, and the yearly upkeep £50.000, aud also the technical difficulties involved, the Post-master-General would explain why in these days we had so much money to spend in such a manner. Sir 11. Kingsley-Wood: 1 cannot agree with any of your conclusions. There is a widespread desire in the Empire for such a station. NO LACK OF HELP Sir T. Wilford’s Assurance London, Dec. 12. So impressed was the New ZealandHigh Commissioner, Sir Thomas Wilford, on the occasion of a Press inspection of the Daventry wireless station, when the methods of Empire broadcasting were explained, that he informed the Controller, Admiral Sir Charles Carpendale, that the British Broadcasting Corporation had no need to fear lack of assistance from the Dominions and colonies, provided the experiment was successful. Sir Charles Carpendale had been explaining that there was nothing in sight to recoup the corporation from overseas, though there was hope that a solution would accompany its success whether as a Dominions or Colonial Office grant, or overseas subscriptions, or both.

He added that reception tests in New Zealand were good, in Australia fair. Australia’s system was so designed that the aerial and the reflector were interchangeable, enabling the beam to be radiated either way round the great circle, according to the atmospheric conditions. The station was at present using the westward route as better than the eastern route. Australia was now getting the 32-inetre Indian zone broadcast excellently. The corporation envisaged a regular exchange of programmes between England and overseas possessions.

Professor Wallace, of Sydney, was another interested visitor. ,