AUSTRALIAN LICENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20536, 10 April 1930, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN LICENCES.

TRADE DEPRESSION FELT. The trade depression now existing throughout the Commonwealth is becoming apparent in tho cancellation of listeners' licences, the reduction for the month of February in the Commonwealth's total being 2073 after giving credit for the new licences taken out that month, s:iys a Sydney paper. It may, of course, ae that an increasing number of listeners tiro becoming dissatisfied with programmes to the extent of cancelling their receiving licence for the time being. But tho indications are that it is financial necessity that is causing the temporary curtailment of expenditure.

It is the custom of the wireless branch of the Post Oflice Department to make inquiries concerning the reasons for the cancellation of licences. In hundreds of cases the reply has been that circumstances compel the holder to cancel 'lie licence for the time being. From this it would appear that it would be a judicious procedure on the part of the Post Office. Department to once more introduce the system of paying the yearly licence in two instalments. That would probably mean additional clerical labour, but; it'would be a great advantage to many listeners. At the end of February there were 103.780 licensed listeners in !STew South Wales, a, decrease of 55 compared with the end of January; in Victoria 142.196, a decrease of 1969; in Queensland 22,422. an increase of 34; in South Australia 25.140, a decrease of 197; in Tasmania 5606, an increase of 16; and in Western Australia 4857, an increase of 98.