RADIO CONTROL

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 12

RADIO CONTROL

POWER TO HELP 8 STATIONS

[From Our Parliamentary Riportbr.]

WELLINGTON', November 5. “ I don’t know that it is a bad bargain for the State,” remarked the Mon, A. Hamilton (Postmaster-General, when tho Broadcasting Bill was in committee in tho House to-night. / Members had asked a number of questions regarding tho terms of acquiring the A stations by the proposed new board, and whether the B stations would receive assistance.

Mr Hamilton pointed out that, after tho system had been thoroughly established, the State now had the right to take it over. The Broadcasting Company had no doubt been successful financially, but in the first few years there was no profit. However, broadcasting became popular, lie believed that the Listeners’ Advisory -Council would assist in the smooth working of the system.

Mr" Nash (Palmerston North) : What are you doing for the B stations? The Postmaster-General replied that the Bill did not deal with them, but the B stations added considerably to the pleasure and interest of radio, and if the Radio' Board desired, it could assist these stations, or buy them out. It could establish relay stations, and his personal opinion was that it might be better to bring certain B stations i.p to a standard enabling them to be used for this purpose. There were thirty-six B stations, but possibly, if the standard was raised for twelve B stations, it would be sufficient. Ho presumed that the Radio Board would look favourably on them. The Bill was rapidly put through the committee stage, and the amendments submitted by the Minister reducing tho number of members of the board to three, and establishing an advisory council of eight, were accepted. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.