BROADCASTING CONTROL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 212, 21 August 1931, Page 3

BROADCASTING CONTROL

DEPUTATION TO POSTMASTERGENERAL. Wellington, Aug. 20. A deputation from the 2Y.A., Wellington, musical and dramatic advisory committee waited upon the Post-master-General (the Hon. J B Donald) to urge the Government to discountenance any alteration in the system of control and management under which the broadcasting service had been successfully established in New Zealand. Mr E. Palliser, chairman of the committee, explained that it was an advisory organisation distinct, but functioning in connection with the broadcast station 2YA, Wellington. The committee represented most of the musical and dramatie organisations of Wellington. He urged that the broadcasting service was a public utility for the general benefit of the community and not for the radio trade. The committee had been brought in touch with a considerable number of listeners, who appreciated to the fullest degree the present service The failure of an extensive and energetic campaign by the Radio Listeners' League to enrol more than a small number of licensees evidenced that there not not widespread dissatisfaction with the existing service. The comniittee’s opinion was that the Government should not embark on any further business undertakings. The Minister remarked that recent proposals by the Broadcasting Company would not give listeners any say in the control, as the chairman's casting vote might operate against them.

A member of the deputation asked the Minister whether the company would ignore the rights and recom-