RADIO RECEPTION IN NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 2 May 1934, Page 4

RADIO RECEPTION IN NELSON

TO-NIGHT’S meetings to deal with radio reception in Nelson will be largely attended. We must say we agree on broad principles with the policy of the Broadcasting Board in conserving its funds mainly for the large stations. There is no doubt that better service for New Zealand can be given in this way, and if evening reception locally were as good as day reception there would be little complaint from Nelson. We wonder how much really good service is given by New Zealand stations to Nelson listeners in the evening? At times reception is satisfactory, but these are comparatively rare occasions. Listeners-in whom we have consulted (it is our own experience, too) say that reception is so uncertain and so many exasperating disappointments are met with, that no adequate service is rendered. Local conditions appear to be against good recoption at night. Strength is a very necessary attribute of a Broadcasting Board. But the Board knows there are higher qualities Arven than that. One is a capacity to do the right and the fair thing on a full weighing-up of all tlie circumstances. Rigid adherence in all circumstances to an admittedly sound policy may give evidence of weakness and even selfishness. Nelson will get its subsidy —sooner or later, for it is inconceivable that a whole community will be subjected to injustice indefinitely. The Board was justified in making every possible inquiry before deviating from its policy, but whatever has been done there has been no material improvement in local reception from stations elsewhere in New Zealand. We trust the Board will take a full view of its duties, and see that Nelson obtains as far as possible the service for which it pays.