N.Z. RADIO POLICY

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1937, Page 5

N.Z. RADIO POLICY

NEW 2YC STATION Success of IZB (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. April 21. The Acting-Minister in charge of Broadcasting (lion. F. Jones) stated to-day that the old 2YA transmitter on Mount Victoria had been remodelled and transferred to Titahi Bay. It will be brought into use again on Sunday, and will bo known as 2YC, operating on the frequency at present used by 2YC and observing the same hours. The present 2YC transmitter will operate from Mount Victoria on a frequency of 1060 kilocycles and a wavelength of 283 metres. It will he known ns 2YD. ’This small transmitter will lie used between 7 and 10 p.m. daily. When programmes re-arrangements have liee.ii completed the 60 kilowatt transmitter, 2YA will serve as a Dominion station and will transmit the more important items and programmes. Station 2YC will serve the Wellington area and 2YD will be the Wellington subsidiary station.

A statement on Mr Serimgeour’s position was made to-night by the Acting-Minister in charge of Broadcasting (Hon. F. Jones): "Tt was through knowledge gained from experiences in other countries, where commercial broadcasting stations are controlled by private companies and individuals, that the Government made provision in the Broadcasting Act of 1936, to prohibit advertising over th e air except from Government stations,” said the Minister. "Later, when it was decided to initiate commercial broadcasting in the Dominion, Auckland, being the largest city, was selected as the best to make a beginning. "Station IZB was considered to be of the class that could be most conveniently adapted for commercial purposes and it was duly acquired. Negotiations about the price to be paid have not yet been completed, and it will be necessary to have this question determined by reference to an independent and disinterested third party. Mr Serimgeour was appointed controller of the national radio advertising service. The method of radio advertising decided upon was a new feature in New Zealand. Therefore it was impossible to foresee what the response would be. The- controller’s remuneration was consequently tentatively fixed at £5OO a year, plus a commission of 74 per cent, on the business done, it being agreed that this question should be reviewed, at the end of three months. Receipts from the business immediately forthcoming proved to be substantially larger than was anticipated, and Mr Serimgeour was offered and has accepted a straight-out salary of £l5OO a year as from April 1, 1937. His duties,- of course, are not to be re-J striated to the control of advertising in the Auckland district alone, but are to include commercial broadcasting throughout the Dominion. The commercial service is now about to start i.n Wellington, and later it will be extended to Christchurch and Dunedin. OPPOSITION TO CONTROLLER. — WHOSE KICK ? AUCKLAND. April 22A decision to protest to the Government against the appointment of Rev Mr Serimgeour as the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting without calling for applications was unanimously made by the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to-day- Moving the resolution, Mr Gainor Jackson said an important principle was involved. Maybe there were men with more experience, or higher qualifications for the position. The president, Mr W- R- Fee, re-

marked that the appointment had been .made some time- The (Government s recent, action was merely the alteration of the terms of the appointment“l thinks, however,” he added, “we are all of one mind-”