BROADCASTING BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19150, 16 October 1925, Page 14

BROADCASTING BOARD.

FIRST MEETING HELD. PROCEEDINGS IN CAMERA. INTERESTS OF LISTENERS-IN, The first meeting of the Radio Broadcasting Board was held at Auckland yesterday under the chairmanship of Sir James Parr, Postmaster-General. The other members of the board were Mr. A. T. Markmam, Secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr. E. A. Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer, Mr. W. Goodfellow, of Hamilton, a director of the new broadcasting company, and Mr. G. Mcß. Salt, of Auckland, representing the listeners-in. The meeting was not, open to the press. At the close of the meeting it was reported officially that as a result of the conference a great deal of the misunderstanding that had existed in connection with broadcasting matters had been cleared up. On behalf of the new broadcasting company, Mr, Goodfellow referred to a rumour that the company intended to flood the market with cheap sets. In reply, ho stressed the point he had already made public that the company would have nothing to do with the selling of sets; it wished to see the free and unrestricted sale of wireless equipment. His interest in broadcasting was prompted by a desire, as the active head of the largest cooperative concern of its kind in the world, to provide an efficient broadcasting service, as ho had long recognised the wonderful influence radio broadcasting would have on country life. On behalf of the Government and the department, Sir James Parr asked for a fair deal for the new company. He was satisfied that a very satisfactory contract had been entered into from the Government point of view; and he was satisfied that the company was getting along as expeditiously as possible; and he asked the listeners-in through their representative on. the board, also the radio dealers and the other people interested, to give the new company a fair chance. He said quite frankly and with all emphasis that when the new company had had its chance and had its stations going, Jie would take action to see that the listeners-in got a good, efficient service. The Government made the contract and it would bo his duty as Postmaster-General and as an honourable man to see that the company got a fair chance to carry out that contract. If the contract was not carried out, the Postmaster-General would be the first man to take action on behalf of the listeners-in. Sir James agreed that if the Broadcasting Board at any time met away from Auckland, where Mr. Salt, the listeners-in representative was located, reasonable travelling expenses would be allowed him by the Post and Telegraph Department. It was decided that the board should meet quarterly.