RADIO MONOPOLY

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3231, 26 June 1928, Page 6

RADIO MONOPOLY

VOCALISTS' OPPOSITION,

In victoria the vocalists have formed an organisation having for its ob- - ject "the securing for Australia the 1 benefits that have followed community 1 control of broadcasting in the United J Kingdom." In a circular issued to the members this month it is stated that < since January of this year the society lias received considerable support from all parts of the Commonwealth. This circular states that the society proposes directing the strong light of public opinion '' on the profits made by companies to which the Commonwealth Government has granted such lucrative monopolies." It is pointed out that a statement made in the Federal Parliament on December 14 last showed that at a time when the cash capital paid for shares in 3LO was £6250 there had been paid out by the company as directors' fees, dividends, shares, or bonuses £11,052. "The executive," the statement continues, "has secured the co-operation of several competent accountants, who will assist in controlling the society's policy of obtaining authoritative information regarding amounts paid b}^ wireless companies (a) to those who provide; the programmes and (b) to shareholders who subscribed the original capital. It is pointed out that in Britain, with a wireless license fee of only 10/----yearly, the programme has reached a much higher standard than in Australia, while in Britain there is a permanent orchestra and choir. The society explains that the musicians of Arictoria are not under the control of any interest, financial or otherwise, as they hold themselves free to dispose of their services where they will, and, it is added, "they will feel no sense of gratitude if the Federal Ministry further restricts their market by repeating the error of granting monoplies to a few favoured concerns. '. ' The figures given above for the profits of 3LO Melbourne are intriguing. The company controlling the station has a nominal capital of £100,000, but it is understood that the -whole of the transmitting equipment is owned by Amalgamated Wireless and is merely rented by 3LO. If this is so, then considering the large number of licenses in Victoria the controlling company must be in an excellent financial position. It has to be remembered, too, that profits from broadcasting have been in no way restricted in Australia.