RADIO SET IN EVERY HOME

Evening Star, Issue 22366, 16 June 1936, Page 6

RADIO SET IN EVERY HOME

THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE EXPERIMENTS FOR STANDARD DESIGN [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 15 1 The possibility of Government action in co-operation with the manufacturers to bring about a reduction in the price of radio receiving sets was suggested by the Postmaster-General' (Hon. _ I l '. Jones), in an interview this evening. Mr Jones also indicated that a sub-com-mittee of the Cabinet had been set up to deal with the details of broadcasting policy preparatory to the assumption by the Government of control of the broadcasting system under the legislation passed by Parliament Inst week. “ As stated during the debate on the Broadcasting Bill.’ Mr Jones .said, “there are 200,000 homes in New Zealand without a radio set. Our aim is to bring the benefits of broadcasting into those homes as soon as possible. Wo want the people to look on the radio service just as they look on electricity, gas, or the telephone—something which is » necessary adjunct to every home. There seems to be no doubt that the question of price represents a barrier to many people who would normally like to own a radio set.” Mr Jones said that officers of Ins department had recently been experimenting with the design and construction of a possible standard set. The Government hoped to be able to find out at what cost such a set could economically be produced, and then it would probably be prepared to enter into negotiations with the manufacturers in New Zealand in an endeavour to put a standard set on the market. “ I have previously stated that the question of royalty payments requires investigation,'’ Mr Jones continued, “ and that it appears that we are paying higher royalties than are charged in England. That is a matter, however, which will receive attention in due course.” The Postmaster-General added that much had to be done in preparing for full State ownership of the broadcasting system in New Zealand, and very little time remained before the Broadcasting Act came into operation on July 1. In consequence, there was not likely to be any change with regard to the B stations until after that date. A basis for the payment of subsidies to the B stations would also have to* be finally settled. “I hope that the public will irot expect or demand any great change ia the broadcasting service immediately the change in control is effected,” Mr Jones said, “A great many details have to be hammered out in the meantime, and with that end in view a small sub-com-mittee of the Cabinet has been set up to lay down fundamental principles in keeping with the Government’s policy as disposed in the Broadcasting Act. No decisions have yet been made regarding the appointment of a Director of Broadcasting or the members of the Advisory Council, which may be set up under the Act. These are matters for future consideration, as also _is the question of making new regulations for the control of broadcasting. “ The Government has not yet decided on the purchase of any of the existing B stations for operation as commercial stations,” added the Minister, “ but is prepared to consider the offer of any B station which is prepared to sell out sind is suitable for the particular type of service which will be provided by the commercial stations.”