BROADCASTING POLICY.

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

BROADCASTING POLICY.

DEPUTATION TO MR SAVAGE. CONSERVATORIUM PLAN. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Aug. 30. . Matters pertaining to improved facilities for radio listeners were brought forward by a deputation from the Otago Radio Listeners’ League which waited on the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. The PostmasterGeneral, Hon. F. Jones, was also in attendance. It was stated that the deputation represented 3500 members. The subjects brought forward were B stations, the establishment of commercial stations, the establishment of a conservatorium of music, reduction of license fees from 25s to £l, and free copies of programmes. An appeal was made to bring back some body of control on which listeners would have representation. With reference to the establishment of commercial stations it was explained by the Prime Minister that any profits would belong to the whole people of the country. It was the intention of the Government to get the best out of broadcasting, and nothing would stand in the way. They would pul radio into every house in the country. THE B STATIONS. Broadcasting was a State service, with one or two B stations on the outside, and it was entitled to be administered like any other State service. A board was too cumbersome and would not be reintroduced. The Government had wanted to purchase B stations, but if that was impossible it would sul>sidise them, but in any case they would have to submit to valuation. The Government would put B stations or alternative stations where they were required. With reference to appointing Australians to positions in the Broadcasting Service, Mr Savage said the Government did so because they looked like being able to carry out the task they wanted done, but that did not mean that they would not train people of their own. They wanted men who had the necessary qualifications, whatever the country of their birth. “I must plead guilty to being an Australian,*’ he said, “and they have made me Prime Minister.” He was going to insist on the es tablishment of the conservatorium so that the children in the Dominion would have tho best training possible in music and speaking. He quoted Professor J. Shelley, Director of Broadcasting, as saying that New Zealand exported more brains than any other country. The Government was going to try to keep them in New Zealand The day would come when license fees would be reduced, but they had a good deal of work in hand. AVith regard to programmes there was a proposal to produce a journal. Mr Jones said that stations were promised to Hawke’s Bay and Southland, which would mean additional cost. The problem of adequate coverage for the Dominion was a difficult one.