AUSTRALIAN POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1931, Page 22

AUSTRALIAN POLICY

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

SYDNEY, -sth November.

Once again Australia's policy in the matter of the control of" radio broadcasting has gone into the melting pot. At present a private company, the Australian Broadcasting Company, is in command, and it is-generally admitted that it has given a fair measure of satisfaction. Of course, there have been complaints about the quality of the programmes and their composition generally, but it -would--'be-a-remarkable concern if it could satisfy the tastes of more than 6,000,000 people. Whatever be the virtues of the present company, it is certain that the Government will decide upon a change which will make broadcasting quite independent of commercial interests. In this matter the Federal Government is likely.'to follow the example of Great Britain and appoint a national board of seven, with Government nominees in the majority. A point that is being emphasised is the desirability that the •board should be absolutely free from any suggestion of political control. Bearing that in mind, it is unlikely that the Government-will appoint any pditicians, for if it did so the board would immediately be under suspicion. The great* interest' that" is" Being' displayed in broadcast control is evidence of tho wide popularity of the radio throughout Australia. The radio industry is the only industry that has not been affected by the depression. While other industries have languished it has flourished, and under protection has found employment for thousands. People have had less money to spend on amusements, and have turned, to radio in vast numbers. Kadio has offered high-class entertainment at a cheap price. The perfection of the allelectric set s did .much--• to":' popularise iprqadcasting, and there are_ few^homes to-day without a "set of some sort. Most of the receiving sets that are being1

sold to-day are locally made, and the fact that they are giving such excellent results is a tributo to Australian -\yorkmoj). The outcome of the new policy, which will not be enforced until the present contract expires-About the middle of next year, niay be the formation of a national symphony orchestra oh a grand scale. Musical interests arc working to that end, and aro confident that they will achieve their object. It is pointed out that with a network of stations the orchestra could be relayed to every State, and would be a valuable adjunct in the . musical education of the people of Australia.