Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MAY 11th., 1934. WIRELESS CHARGES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MAY 11th., 1934. WIRELESS CHARGES.

WIRELESS grows annually in popularity, the number of listeners with sets installed increasing beyond optimistic expectations. Any decision concerning wireless costs, or administration, is, therefore, of consequence to a large number of people, and many are asking what effect, if any, on licensing fees will have the new

agreement. concerning royalties paid to owners of patent rights. Hitherto, the P. and T. Department has paid Io the holders of pal ent rights 3/- out of each listener’s fee to cover claims for the use of patented apparatus. On and after June 1, no receiver will, be imported, manufactured or sold in New Zealand by a radio dealer without payment of 3/6 per anode stream. This is roughly 3/6 per valve. A five valve set will thus be subject Io a royalty of 17/6 from June 1. Jt may be fairly assumed that the extra charge on. valves will be passed .on to the purchasing public, who have a right to ask for a lessening by 3/- in the annual licensing fees, an improvement in programmes provided by the Broadcasting Board, or some other benefit. The P. and T. Department has, till now, retained 2/- of each 30/- paid, to cover “expenses,” and some explanation is the right of the licensees if this allowance is to be raised by 150 per cent. Listeners do not regard the annual fee as low; indeed, there have been many complaints in the contrary direction, efforts being made to secure a reduction. New Zealand wireless enthusiasts do not get the variety and excellence in programmes available to their like in most other Empire countries, and the license fees, as well as the cost of sets and installation, are also higher. ’This was to be expected, but the margin, should be kept as narrow as possible. It may be that the P. and T. and the Broadcasting Board have real cause for letting the listeners boar an extra financial burden arising from the new royalties agreement, and if so, the listeners should be given an early ex plana t ion. Otherwise, they will feel that the authorities are taking advantage of their

autocrat io powers. Most listeners will endorse the attitude of the Postmaster-Gen-eral (Mr A. Hamilton) in refusing to allow advertising .matter to be broadcasted, as experience in the countries that permit such pub-

licity, has not been altogether happy. There will be less support for his refusal to have an elective board to control broadcasting. although much may be said for and against this attitude. If the ap-

pointed Board adeqimtely realises the riglils of listeners and others, and refrains from imagining'vain things regarding the right of the Board Io be arbitrary and dictatorial, there are advantages in having a Board appointed on their qualifications for the task in hand, rather than their personal popularity among the masses. Unless, the Board and the B. and T. Department respect the rights of listeners, they must expect adverse criticism.