N.Z. BROADCASTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12903, 2 July 1936, Page 5

N.Z. BROADCASTS

ONE ADVERTISING STATION IN EACH CENTRE DETAILS NOT YET SETTLED. VALUATION TO BE MADE OF B STATIONS. PURCHASE OR SUBSIDY. (Press Association). WELLINGTON, July 1. Some further aspects of the Government’s' plans for tho - development of broadcasting services in New Zealand, arid the use of coriimcrcial stations for advertising wore discussed in an interview by the Prime .Minister. Regarding-, the- Government’s plans for, the establishment of commercial stations, Mr. Savage said there would be one each for Auckland, Wellington Christchurch, and Dunedin, but no do uision had yet been ... made as to lioiv the advertising was to be controlled. ‘‘l do not know whether we will do the advertising ourselves, or give it out,’ said the Prime Minister. “'lhe less wo handle it ourselves the more satisfactory it will be to everybody. My opinion is that it would bo better to let some private enterprise do it R 11 W'e may let, or call tenders. The details have yet to be thought out.ee ,i ■ 1 -r Dealing with broadcasting generally, the Prime Minister said that the Government did not intend to allow the grass to grow urider its feet. “We will move forward as rapidly as possible,” lie said. “We want some tiling to-be dime while we are alive, net when''we are dead. We want this generation to/enjoy all the benefits of broadcasting.” " '“ Mr: Savage said that steps were now being taken for a complete valuation of all B stations. The valuations would be made by a qualified technical man ■in conjunction with' 1 an accountant'. The purchase price, where the licensees were prepared to sell, would be based on the report of the valuers, and where there was no desire to give up the license, the valuation would be used as a basis for a subsidy. Mr. Savage emphasised that, in arriving at tlic valuation, account would be taken of the value of the station in providing social service. «. Mr.-Savage indicated that the Government’s plans ' would necessarily have to await development till the Director of Broadcasting was appointed. f! <• > ‘‘The director will have more knowledge of broadcasting than I have/’ said ’ Miv Savage. 1 “I know what 1 want, and he will know how to g.vo it to us.” Asked if any. claims had yet been made on the Government by the Performing Rights Association, Mr. Savage replied in the negative. He added, however, that when one started stirring the porridge-, . something would soon come to the surface.