RADIO BROADCASTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20113, 26 November 1928, Page 11

RADIO BROADCASTING.

EXTENSIONS TO SERVICE.

SHORT-WAVE PROPOSALS.

PRIVATE COMPANY'S SCHEME.

A scheme to provide New Zealand with a moro complete radio broadcasting servico has been outlined by Mr. L. E. Strachan, managing-director of Home Recreations Broadcasting Service, Limited, who arrived from Christchurch on Saturday. This company already controls station 3ZC in Christchurch, tho only station in New Zealand to provide regular short-wavo service. If a new Government regards the scheme favourably, the Christchurch station will be enlarged and at least two other main stations provided in the North Island.

Application is to be made to the Government for permission to increase the daily services from 3ZC to a minimum of 12 hours daily, and to make financial arrangements along tho lines of those ruling in the "B" class stations in Australia. This would mean that listeners would receive additional service without any additional cost. If Government sanction is given the revenue of the company will come from publicity talks not longer than six minutes in every hour. Mr. Strachan said that with its financial interests safeguarded, tho company would erect a new station iu Auckland and another at either Wanganui or Palinerston North, which would servo tho central and southern portions of the North Island. In addition to these two stations, and that at Christchurch, 1 relay stations would subsequently be added in smaller towns, bringing wireless within the range of country peoplo who could not afford valve sets. These stations in the small towns would relay programmes broadcast from the three central stations, and tho company's service would cover tho whole of New Zealand.

The company has already taken steps to ensure an excellent broadcasting service, provided it is given permission to carry out its scheme. Arrangements have been mado with one of the leading Australian stations for visits to New Zealand by some of tho most popular artists now broadcasting in Australia. Mr. Strachan is confident that any Government will regard favourably his company's proposals The scheme was considered excellent by the New Zealand Electrical Federation and tho Dominion Association of Radio Dealers, and he hoped to bo able to take more definite steps ift the near future.