BROADCASTING HOURS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 10

BROADCASTING HOURS

MR. SEMPLE’S IDEAS CAUSE AMUSEMENT

SAVING OF ELECTRICITY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 18. “The year’s biggest joke,” was the description applied by the Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. Andrews, to a letter read at a meeting of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board from the Minister of Works, Mr. Semple, in answer to a suggestion by the board that broadcasting hours should be reduced to save electricity. One passage was received with such mirth that the secretary had to discontinue his reading of the letter until the laughter had subsided. The particular passage stated: “The whole question of the use of radio broadcasting in relation to the power position has been under investigation for some time. There may be some direct saving in the power used by listeners.if the hours of shut-down were extended but, on the other hand, a valuable means of communicating quickly with consumers would be lost by the Electricity Controller.”

The letter went on to say that it did not necessarily follow that -any measurable saving in power would be made by closing down stations after 9.30 p.m., as suggested by the board, for listeners might then tune in to overseas stations.. For the last seven weeks consumption had not had to be limited as much as during the winter months, but if it became essential to introduce electricity rationing again, the proposal to reduce broadcasting hours would be examined. “I move that the letter be received and referred' to Punch,” said Mr. Andrews, amid further laughter. The board received the letter.