The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, July 31, 1940. BROADCASTING SERVICE.

Grey River Argus, 31 July 1940, Page 6

The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, July 31, 1940. BROADCASTING SERVICE.

Parliamentary broadcasting made it evident for the public all over the country last evening that, no matter what Opposition members used to say against that innovation, they are as keenly interested themselves in the nationall radio enterprise as anybody. The debate in committee on the Broadcasting Account was obviously hampered by little in the way of formality, the main feature appearing to be the eagerness of all and sundry to have a

say. Those failing to catch the eye of the Chairman took the opportunity of putting in their spokes by way of interjection or interrogation. Points of interest brought into 1 prominence were the increase in licenses to 345,000, and in the account of the service to £313,588; the capital account of £700,000; and the profit of over £20,000 from the commercial service, which has been able to extend its activity with the aid of an advance from the sister organisation, which collects the licensing revenue. Though points of value were raised by them Opposition speakers failed to demonstrate the wisdom of their main contentions, namely, reduction of license fees and restriction of developmental expenditure, alike on the commercial side and the journal of the service. It was rightly pointed out that- as, in proportion to population, radio in New Zealand had a wider vogue than in probably any other country, the listeners are obviously satisfied with the value obtained for their money. No doubt that value is not limited to the Dominion service, Australian broadcasts being largely available, while the regular news bulletins from Daventry since the outbreak of war have been also a big inducement for the securing of licenses. The fact that several hundreds are being found remunerative employment does not seem to weigh greatly with the Opposition, whose preference might be for private enterprise in the case of commercial broadcasting, as it certainly is regard- ' ing programme advertising. Yet as State employees the staffs as a whole are doubtless better paid than if they were the servants of a private company, and that is an important consideration. There is every reason to expect that the will continue to earn a surplus, and for that reason the reserving of considerable sums for future extension is not called for, the immediate expansion of operations being a surer way to obtain means for future needs. Those who decry the erection of. substantial buildings for the commercial stations are not anxious for the extension of their operations, whereas the State has a good prospect of success in this regard, the increase of population being calculated to augment •heir business. Where criticism might appear justified is in the matter of programmes. New Zealanders are treated to no end of “canned” stuff that is often enough little above juvenile, not to say imbecile level. The Aus-

tralians may have their faults in this respect, but their national stations give on the whole a more attractive service than ours. They give native talent more scope, and show much ingenuity and variety in their programmes, as indeed, do several of the private stations. What New Zealand can do without, however, is anything like the string of stations that are in Australia under virtually a single control, and can in certain ways influence public opinion in favour of private interests. As for Ministerial broadcasts, the matter generally is both interesting and fair, and in instances would obtain less publicity if the Government had not the facility for broadcasting. The complaint that something like a monopoly is enjoyed on Sunday nights by a particular speaker may not be quite fair, and there may be a great many who enjoy the item, but any complaint could be removed were additional commentaries in the same sphere secured from other speakers with recognised qualifications. In the war effort the object has been to afford each and every section a full voice iti the radio publicity, and the same idea could with advantage be extended beyond war activity.