RADIO V. THEATRES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 31, 5 August 1936, Page 10

RADIO V. THEATRES

MELBOURNE PROTEST

EXCESSIVE COMPETITION

United Press Association —By Electric TelO'

Kiaph—Copyright.

MELBOURNE, August 4.

• Theatrical and concert managers have sent a strong written protest to the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, against the practice of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in".entering into direct competition with private concert entrepreneurs, whose business is seriously affected and prejudiced.

Mr. John Tait, general manager of J. C. Williamson Ltd., voicing a protest, said that the Broadcasting Commission, which depended on public fees for its existence, had gone beyond reasonable limits in its methods of competing with theatres and other entertainments, outbidding entrepreneurs for leading overseas artists, and charging the public for admission to concerts, with the result that it had become impossible for theatrical concert managers to secure the engagement of prominent artists. Mr. Tait contended that the Broadcasting Commission should confine its" activities to studio broadcasting.