BROADCASTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 26, 30 July 1940, Page 8

BROADCASTING

ANNUAL REPORTS

£380,470 FROM FEES

LARGE RESERVES

The National Broadcasting Service, with an income last year of £407,991, has transferred £140,840 to accumulated funds, and its reserves now stand at £698,362. This information is contained in the annual report presented to Parliament today by the Prime i Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), who is Minister of Broadcasting. Licence fees totalled £380,470, and the expenditure on programmes was £110,410. "The importance of broadcasting as a direct and indirect instrument of modern warfare is now quite obvious to everyone," states the report. "The general policy adopted has been to give as far as possible full and authentic information to the public, while at the same time maintaining the normal service. For several days at the outbreak of war the anxiety of the public was allayed by maintaining a continuous daily service for 24 hours, but as soon as possible this was curtailed and the broadcasting of Daventry news has been reduced several times since. The Government has made frequent use of broadcasting for the unifying of the national effort in the Allied cause." The report states that a gratifying response was made to the nation's call by members of the staff and as many as could be spared were released for service. Building plans for the new Broadcasting House near Parliament Building had been completed, but owing to existing conditions the building was not to be proceeded with at present. Owing to pressure of work on the architectural staff plans for the conversion of the old Garrison Hall, Dunedin, into studio and office accommodation had been delayed. Improvement of the coverage in areas not enjoying first-grade reception had been planned and would be given effect to as soon as circumstances permitted. Referring to programmes, the report says that the number of notable artists engaged from overseas was less than usual. There were 73 concerts broadcast by New Zealand musical societies and approximately 1600 performances by local artists. Educational broadcasts were now serving 1106 schools with 73,000 pupils. An increasing number of plays by New Zealand authors was being broadcast. The report states that the expenditure on the official journal of the service, "The Listener," was £30,437, including preliminary expenses and one free distribution, and that the revenue was £18,096. COMMERCIAL SERVICE. The report by the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting stated that the revenue for the year was £171,548, the principal amounts being: Auckland station, £52,767; Wellington, £44,141; Christchurch, £36,809; Dunedin, £27,739. A net profit of £22,056 was earned, which enabled an accumulated adverse balance of £2710 to be removed. Provision to the extent of £13,400 was being made for payment of income tax and the net result was a favourable balance of £417. Advances to the commercial service from the National Broadcasting Account had been reduced by £24,901 to £77,025. The controller said that the service had maintained close connection with the organisation for National Security. An aspect which had been kept steadily in mind was the avoidance of any advertising matter likely to create alarm or exploit public sentiment during the existing war emergency. This involved an exacting censorship and close contact with the Director of Publicity. Any blatant use of war recordings was avoided while at the same time due regard was given to the stimulating of the nation's war effort and the spirit of patriotism. Twenty-three members of the staff had enlisted. "During the current year work was commenced on the erection of a Government building at Durham Street, Auckland, part of which will be used for new studios and offices for Station 1ZB," added the report. "It is anticipated that the building will be ready for occupation by IZB during the present financial year."