RADIO CONTRACTS

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1933, Page 5

RADIO CONTRACTS

TERMINATION NOTICES. (P‘‘r Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 14. Notice of intention to terminate the present agreement under which the Amalgamated Wireless of Australasia Ltd., receives royalty on all fees paid by radio listeners, has been served on the Company by the Government. About three months ago similar action was taken by the Federal Government of Australia. New Zealand listeners pay an annual license fee of 30s, and of this sum 3s is pa.id over to Amalgamated Wireless of Australasia Ltd. as royalty for the use of certain patents held by the Company. Official notice has been given to the Company of the intended termination of this patent right agreement. The agreement had been in force for about five and a-half years, and the notice now given will terminate it twelve months hence. Two shillings out of the 30s fee paid by listeners in the Dominion is retained by the Post and Telegraph Department, as its commission to cover the cost of collecting fees. This leaves 25s out of every license fee for the use of the Broadcasting Board to provide various radio broadcasting services. In Australia the license fee is 24s per annum. The Australian Government lias also had an agreement with the Company whereby it receives 3s out of every license fee. About three months ago the Company was given notice by the Australian Government of its intended termination of the contract.