B STATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 232, 31 August 1937, Page 8

B STATIONS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In your issue of the 26th inst. a correspondent, “Only a Woman, inquires ir we have not men or ability to organise a defence for our local station. I ask, why we should require any men to organise, or why complain, or for that matter waste printer s ink? During the 1935 election campaign Mr M. J. Savage said, per medium ot the air, that the “people of New Zealand need never be afraid of a Labour Go - eminent; the Labour Party would do the right work.” Cr J. Hodgens M.P. in his pre-election meetings said that ’Palmerston North city had done a lot for him, and he offered his services to the electors, and asked them to give him an opportunity of doing something for Palmerston Northdid not Or Hodgens publicly thank Mr J. V. Kyle for the service 2ZO had rendered to him and the Labour Party r “Only a Woman” suggests that His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) or the R.S.A, should call_ a meeting. Now that would be an infringement of privilege and Tom, Dick. aM Harry would accuse them of political intrigue, so I presume they will he spectators at the “radio funeral.- But is there not a bright opportunity for our member to serve his electorate, which he said he was eager to do? Will Palmerston North citizens permit their cheapest and best advertisement to be obliterated? Are our Canadian cousins at Calgary Rainbow, Stettler, Delia, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge, also our friends at Bendigo, Brisbane, and other Australian stations to be unable to listen to 2ZO? Just imagine Palmerston North city, its population over 25,000, with an agricultural college, schools galore, and industries, beautiful buildings, also its Square, an airport, air mail service, etc., everything and everyone looking ahead, besides being the hub of the dairying industry and. all overseas visitors calling here, and it mußt go on the air. Is there to be no protest. I tJunK the B stations will have cause to remember the words of the Scottish bard, Burns: “Politicians are a nuncoo squad, nnd muckle they may grieve ye. I am, etc., LO NE FURROW.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent in yesterday’s issue who so Mmoaned the loss of 2ZO that he must forthwith condemn the Government which he, apparently, had previously supported, would do well to take a broader outlook of tne situation instead of rushing into print with his petty reasonings. In the first place why do people condemn the Government for their recklessness in matters of finance, and every .action, however economically sound, it the said actions reverberate against themselves? The B stations were never selfsupporting. They oould not pay their royalty dues—a little matter which fell to the Government, and the puMic. Had they been self-supporting they may never have been in disfavour. In© Government is providing new stations under capable control which will be revenue earning- They are of higher power and serve a larger area more economically. These new stations more than compensate for the loss of a handful of B stations of doubtful value. No radio owner will deny that the broadcast band is “chock full” of heterodyne whistles. It may be news to your correspondent that this annoyance is caused through too many stations being on the air—mostly small B stations. A low-powered station may do harm over a greater area than it last Government put off the road without compensation privatelyowned motor services. That, perhaps, did not affect vour correspondent personally; therefore it was alright. The B stations, however, are being bought at a price far above their material worth We get an entirely new slant on broadcasting and an example of your correspondent’s reasoning when he asks "Where are the little ones to Jo to get a thrill P” That is the first time I nave heard that broadcasting is maintained for the benefit of. the broadcasters. I always thought it was supposed to be for the benefit of the list eners We live and learn. Most people claim that there is too much repetition on the radio. It is doubtful whether your correspondent has ever heard a record from 2ZO or 2ZF which he could not hear from a YA station. With 2YA at its present power a relay station here is not necessary. The local talent available here would not be. able to provide programme for week without repetition. The per centage of distortion in jnoet private stations was intolerable- So why should the Government support hn ancially B stations which cannot be more than white elephants. I am,

et GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A CHANCE.