RADIO DEVELOPMENT IN DOMINION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 266, 6 August 1937, Page 10

RADIO DEVELOPMENT IN DOMINION

Help of Home Authorities Available SHORTWAVE BROADCASTS TO OTHER NATIONS During his recent visit to Loudon the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, paid a visit to the headquarters of the British Broadcasting Corporation and met the director-general of the corporation, Sir John Reith, with whom he had a discussion on questions relating to broadcasting. In an interview last evening, Mr. Savage said that Sir John had generously offered to give the New Zealand authorities any assistance he could in the development of radio services in this country. “Sir John volunteered any help that the British Broadcasting Corporation can give us,” said Mr. Savage, “He said that any advice or assistance the corporation can give is ours for the asking. Sir John offered to send a man to the Dominion to advise us if at any time it. was found necessary to obtain expert advice on any technical problem connected with broadcasting.” Asked if there had been any developments in connection with his proposal to have regular shortwave broadcasts from New Zealand to other countries, Mr. Savage said the statement he made before his departure for England still held—some scheme of broadcasting to other countries would be established immediately arrangements for the Dominion’s internal broadcasting system were completed. By broadcasting from a powerful station in more than one language, Mr. Savage hopes to be able to tell other nations what is being achieved in New Zealand as well as to advertise its products and attractions. “If we develop a shortwave service we can talk to other nations about our relationships, Great Britain included,” said Mr. Savage. “That is a step in the right direction, for a system of international radio contact must assist greatly in promoting a better understanding between nations. We can tell the world what we are doing, and let the people of other nations know of the attractions of this country and its capacity to produce. There is no better way of advertising ourselves to other nations. We have to open the eyes of the world to the fact that we are here.”