AUSTRALIAN CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN CONTROL.

PROGRAMMES AND PROFITS.

Tho board appointed by tho Federal Government to adviso npon tho futuro control of broadcasting in Australia has completed its initial work, and submitted a report. This, it is understood, says tho Sydney Morning Herald, approves of tho Government proposal that thero shall, in future, bo unified control of broadcasting in all tho States of tho Commonwealth.

Tho reason for this is that in tho States of Victoria and New South Wales, tho board contends, tho revenue is more than sufficient to provide for tho programmes at present being put on tho air. This is especially the enso in Victoria, where tho private company controlling stations 3LO and 3AR has been able to allocate big dividends to its shareholders. The board considers that out of the surplus revenuo availablo in Victoria substantial assistance should bo given to tho broadcasting programmes in other States, especially in Western Australia and Tasmania. This, in effect, is tho decision that was arrived ab somo months ago by tho Federal Government. Tho recommendation contains among other provisions, one that tho supply of entertainment and news programmes for all tho States shall in futuro be under tho administration of one company, and that tho Postmaster-General's Department shall bo ablo to imposo on that company such conditions and restrictions as will ensure adequato protection of tho rights and interests of listeners. Tho broad principles for tho new contract have been agreed upon. It is understood that theso will provide heavy penalties for tho failure on tho part ot tho contracting, company to supply a news and entertainment programmo up to tho standard to bo approved of by tho Advisory Board, and even for tho cancellation of tho contract if the proCi'HinmcS provided are not of an approved standard. In such case it will bo open for the Post Oflico Department to place another contract, or even to undertake the full responsibility of administering tho broadcasting stations of Australia through a board of control. Tenders aro also to bo invited for the provision of'high-power transmitting stations near each of tho capital cities of tho Commonwealth, and also relay stations in certain provincial centres which havo not, as yet, been definitely decided. It is understood- that Newcastle will bo tho site of a relay station in New South Wales, and that Ballarat will bo a site ia Victoria.;