RADIO BROADCASTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19513, 17 December 1926, Page 16

RADIO BROADCASTING.

? GRIEVANCES VENTILATED. LISTENERS AND DEALERS. REQUESTS FOR IMPROVEMENT. ; REPLY BY MR. McNAMARA, JBI' TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] 'WELLINGTON. Thursday. Grievances were freely ventilated at » meeting of representatives of wireless licensees, radio dealers and others, at which the president of the Wellington Amateur Radio Society, Mr. J. 11. Owen, presided. The secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr. G. McNamara, replied at some length to criticisms. The president drew attention to the fact that, in spite of the promise of the Government, there were only two new stations operating in New Zealand today. Probable interference from main and power leakages was touched upon by Mr. Owen, who expressed the opinion that the New Zealand Government should be represented at tho wavo length conference in Australia. Mr. W, Godley, president of the Radio Traders' Association, said that listenersIts were inclined to think that their troubles were individual. Those in tho trade were well acquainted with the demerits or otherwise of the Broadcasting Company, but their trouble began when purchasers commenced to ask questions regarding weaknesses in tho transmission or other faults in the broadcasting scheme. Accurate Information Wanted. The quantity of goods to be purchased for sale was largely determined by the quality of the broadcasting. Proper broadcasting was essential to the trade. Dealers and broadcasting companies should work more closely together. Once a definite policy and accurate information regarding new stations were procurable dealers and the public would have something to work upon. Mr. Godley moved: "That, in order to assist radio dealers as" a competent body to maintain their usefulness to present and future listeners-in, the Broadcasting Company should make special provision for communicating to the public in general and the trade dealers in particular details of the company's, activities from time to time." Tlie motion was carried. Mr,. I. M. Levy, referring to the definite'statement made by the PostmasterGeneral that wave lengths would not be altered, said that, while lie did not deny tliat 300 metres and over was suitable, there could have been no reason to put Auckland up to 420 metres, which was subject to interference from ships' sets. He moved; "That the New Zealand Government be" requested to send an officer to tlie Australian conference, and that subsequently an alteration of the New Zealand wavelengths be made." The motion .was carried. - , Question of Hew Stations. Mr. W. Wyles moved: "That the Post ' unci Telegraph Department aiid the ; Broadcasting Company be advised that this "meeting is of the opinion .that a i power of at least 2500 watts aerial rating should bo installed, in the new Wellington station; that the stations at Wellington . and Dunedin should be proceeded •With immediately; and that an engineer with overseas experience be made responsible for the technical operation of the company's system." v This was carried. Mr; Levy moved: "That the PostmasterGeneral bo asked for a public statement with regard to the .finances of the Broadcasting Company, as it is a public i utility."';, / '■ ■ ' The motion was carried. : Pirating-Of the air existed, said Mr. C. J„ Ralph. There were great numbers of pirates "and the longer they were condoned t|ie longer would the ideal service be m coming. /A motion disapproving of pirating was carried. Mr* R. L. Jones presented a paper emphasising the need for better progt mimes," supplied bv well-paid artists. Ha suggested that £4OO a month should bo set aside by the Broadcasting Company to' supply l five artists-at each station nt J a cost of £5 a week each, to be on duty ! only at night. This would make £25 for each, station per week. Four thousand licences at 25s would pay for this and, as there were about 10,000 iicences now, that would leave the company a balance of about '£9000.; , - Supply of Suitable Artists. Mr. Jones moved: "That in tho interests of broadcasting and in order that those holding licences may receive the maximum of -benefit,, from their receiving sets it is desirable that the Broadcasting .Company shall make .immediate provision for sufficient finance with which to provide a constant supply of suitable artists to perform at the four main stations in the Dominion." This was carried. The secretary of the Post and . Telegraph Department, Mr. McNamara, said his department was jealous of its reputation and it would endeavour to have as good a reputation for broadcasting as in its other -affairs. Several of the points raised were new to him, especially those touching on the company's domestic arrangements,. He had made a note of them and would take an opportunity of discussing with the company any improvements that could be effected. Perhape he ' should ask their indulgence in telling , them that they were asking too much and not giving too much. The department was imbued with the idea of giving service wherever feasible, but it was a commercial affair and it expected every branch to pay its way. Company Having Hard Fight. "We "realise that the company is having i a big fight," said Mr. McNamara. "We know the position of its accounts and we hope that soon some information can be given to the public, but you must realise that the first year has just closed, that a good deal of work has to be done first and that the whole thing is not yet ready for public announcement. We feel that there is little response from the licensees, yet much criticism. When we found with a station put on at Auckland that the total number of licences was only 4000 it was too small altogether. To-day we have 10,000, very nearly 11,G00, and the'number is growing rapidly. "We have no Knowledge of how many fire pirating to-day 'and we wall never know. ; "The department is working quietly on the question of improving the service. You will have little to complain of next winter. We are pushing the company to improve its service." Regarding the Wellington station, said Mr. McNamara, before the winter they would have a station to be proud of. The final details were not complete, but an announcement would be made at the earliest possible moment.