B.B.C. AND N.Z. BOARD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 246, 29 September 1934, Page 10

B.B.C. AND N.Z. BOARD

Engaging and Paying Artists

COMPARISON OF PROCEDURE

After expounding in detail the intricate preliminaries through which a would-be radio performer, has to pass before he can be employed by the 8.8. C., and then the fees which a performer is paid when accepted; also the same procedure and payment adopted in America, “Ariel” in the Christchurch “Press” goes on to compare the method in New Zealand. “Ariel” says:—l've often wondered wily in New Zealand radio land, that land flowing with skimmed milk and treacle, so many people give their services to broadcasting absolutely free. Quite a number talk about gardening and things like that over the air from YA stations and don’t receive a penny of pay, I believe there are even some ' honorary radio uncles and aunts. Which when you come to think about it is strange. You and I would hate to go behind the counter of a post-office month after month for the love of selling stamps.

But amateur microphonists are encouraged by phrases like, “But think of the publicity!” and “Soon you’ll get a regular following,” and Think of all the people who listen in to you!” And so these unfortunate people go on the air at odd times when very few people listen in, hoping for a mountainous fan-mail, which somehow never materialises. True, Aunt Martha disguises her name and loyally writes to the station about the great interest of Mr Blank’s talks about borer in old furniture, and the friends of the honorary uncles and aunts scribble paeans of praise; but no one is deceived. Naturally, so long as there is a queue of prospective and embryo broadcasters longing to have their voices heard, and so long as they are quite happy to broadcast without payment, their services will be utilised. Human nature, which insists on regarding free services ns a bargain, is just as strong in broadcasting as elsewhere

The fact is, however, that “honorary” broadcasters are actuated by one of two motives, self-advertisement or social service. But as advertising is barred from New Zealand radio stations, so should self-advertisers be barred. Those who wish to broadcast from motives of social service are either interesting or not interesting. If they are interesting, they should be paid. If they are not interesting, this fact should be made quite plain to them.

Many broadcasters are supremely uninteresting. And if they do not get paid for their services, we feel that they are pests. Pure and simple pests. If they get paid, however bad they may be we feel some slight sympathy for them, just as we feel some slight sympathy for the walking salesman who knocks at our back door and tries to sell us a chemical chimney cleaner. Wo may know perfectly well that the chimney cleaner will not clean chimneys, but w-e buy it. Another potent reason for payment of every broadcaster is the fact that the neople of New Zealand will in the not so far distant future be paying the broadcasting board the staggering sum of a quarter of a million pounds a year. (Unless the license fees are reduced—which is not very likely). And the sad truth is that tho authorities seem unable to think in any other forms than bricks and mortar. If the present regime lasts another two years, broadcasting will consist mainly of concrete and plush buildings. There will be a largo reserve fund. And then the Government will step in and demand its share of the profits. Which will be sad, but inevitable

I do hope that every broadcaster who is asked to give his services free of cost to the board will think for a moment before accepting. If his talk is interesting he should be paid, and he should insist on payment. If his talk is uninteresting he is far better at home in his garden, growing geraniums. ’