B CLASS STATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 163, 11 June 1936, Page 9

B CLASS STATIONS.

MEASURE OF PROTECTION. QUESTION OF ROYALTIES. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 10. The protection to be alforded to B stations and the possibility of the appointment of a Minister of Broadcasting were discussed to-night by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) in an interview. The question of copyright fees for items broadcast by B stations had received considerable attention recently, Mr Savage said. When the Broadcasting Bill became law all the B stations would bo subsidised by the Government which, in consequence, would have some say regarding the payment to outside interests. In the matter of the payment of fees to the Performing Rights Association and firms holding patents, he understood the Government had undertaken the responsibility for those stations which received subsidies in the past. Outside interests now making claims in regarding to broadcasting rights would have to deal direct with the Government. The matter had not been fully investigated as yet, but would doubtless be the subject of negotiations in the near future. It could be taken as definite that private B stations would be placed on a position of equality with those which already received subsidies. “The Bill makes provision, if necessary, for the appointment of a special Minister of Broadcasting,” Mr Savage said. “So far this question has not been fully discussed by Cabinet and as yet it is impossible to say whether a new Minister will be appointed or whether an existing member of Cabinet will be charged with the responsibility of administering broadcasting matters. Until a decision is made the Postmaster-General will be in charge of broadcasting.”