NEW RADIO STATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 29 April 1929, Page 10

NEW RADIO STATION.

OPENING AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

COMPANY'S POLICY OUTLINED

[by telegraph.—press association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday.

The broadcasting station, 2YB, New Plymouth, was officially opened last night. Its success may be judged from the fact that the general manager of the Broadcasting Company reported from Sumner, Christchurch, that he had had perfect reception there during the ceremony. Mr. John Ball, on behalf of the Broadcasting Company, made an announcement which Mr. E. Payne, president of the North Taranaki Radio Society, characterised as marking an important milestone in the history of radio in New Zealand. Mr. Ball said 2YB was not intended to give, a full broadcast service, but rather to fill the gap until such time as something better was available. A greatly desired development was, he believed, in the lap of the very near future.

The general manager of the company had visioned a national broadcast system in which there would be, in the chief provincial centres throughout the Dominion, a chain of efficient relay stations linked with tire four main stations. It was to be a veritable model of completeness and efficiency. The geneial manager had already submitted for the consideration of the Government an outline of the whole scheme. Mr. Bali asked listeners to visualise a scheme of efficient stations at Napier, Hastings, Nelson, Greymouth, Timaru, Invercargill, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston and Gisbernc. All these stations, be said, would be connected by land lines, so that all would be in touch regardless of atmospheric conditions. The company's policy was not limited to the technical side, but it intended to work for the improvement of programmes, and beyond these was a great field of national service of inestimable value to the communitv.

It had been proved that broadcasting of scientific instruction enormously increased primary production in other countries. One of the most eminent authorities in New Zealand, Dr. C. C'htlton, was at present engaged in investigating the possibilities of such a service.