BROADCASTING

Northern Advocate, 7 November 1931, Page 6

BROADCASTING

Broadcasting in New Zealand will enter upon a new era on January Ist next, when control will pass out of the hands of the Radio Broadcasting Company and come under the jurisdiction of a new authority similar in its main principles to the British Broadcasting Company. Parliament, by an almost unanimous vote, passed the necessary legislation to make broadcasting a nationally-owned, instead of a privately-owned, institution. We have no doubt that a good decision has , been reached. As we have said on previous occasions, we consider that the people of the Dominion are indebted to the gentlemen who pioneered broadcasting in this country. But for them New Zealand would not have shared as soon as it did in what is now recognised to be a most desirable feature of modem life. When the Radio Broadcasting Company was formed little or no interest was being manifested in wireless, and the venture was not one in which the speculator had much concern. The service given by the company has been very good under the existing circumstanced, but there will be little question with the contention that an institution of national value, apart from its social and educational merit, should be owned and operated by the State through an independent board of control. The success of the new control will depend very largely upon the personnel of the board, which, no doubt, will have the benefit, of the experience of the present administrative staff. State control of wireless will start under auspicious circumstances, and when we wish the new system every success we are sure we voiee the desire of everybody, Avho will also express the hope that wireless, under the altered conditions, may be brought more within their reach.