TRADERS' ATTITUDE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 105, 30 October 1931, Page 5

TRADERS' ATTITUDE

CHAIRMAN'S REPLY!

Tie above letter was referred to M*» C. J. Balph, chairman of the Central Executive, Badio Section, of the New: Zealand Electrical Federation, Mr. Balph's comment was as follows:— Beferring to your assertion that the radio trade of New Zealand does not support the proposed Broadcasting Bill, I have, as chairman of the Central Executive o£ the Badio Section of the New Zealand Electrical Federation, to give this an unqualified denial. The radio trade that counts is fully represented by this federation, and has on several occasions placed the well-considered views of its members before the Postmaster-General, the latest approach being only last week. This deputation simply reaffirmed the support of the BUI given by previous deputations, the basis of which was resolutions framed at a recent Dominion conference of trade representatives. The views of this Dominion Conference were placed before the late Postmas-ter-General, on the 27th August last, and the opening speaker prefaced his remarks with the statement that:. "The question had been gone into thoroughly from all angles, and the conference had arrived at a unanimous decision. Considered views of the trade were embodied in a prepared statement. "He emphasised that the conference! was thoroughly representative of the trade throughout New Zealand." The main contention, of the conference, placed before the Minister on this occasion, was:— "The view of the radio trade in general is solidly in favour of a form of control which shall be divorced from any form of profit making. ... A« long as the service is conducted by an organisation, whatever its form, that seeks to make a profit, it must mean that some of the available funds will be withheld from the development of the service, its popularity will decline, and both listeners and the trade interests will suffer. ... The experience of the past six years has shown that under the system of private monopoly the public have not had an adequate return in service." . The views of the radio trade nave hi no way altered since this conference, and the great majority of our members are still wholeheartedly in favour>of the BilL