RADIO CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22446, 16 June 1936, Page 8

RADIO CONTROL

PREPARING FOR CHANGE GOVERNMENT'S AIMS CHEAPER RECEIVING SETS STANDARD TYPE SOUGHT [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Monday The possibility of Government action in co-operation with manufacturers to bring about a reduction in the price of radio receiving sets was suggested by the Postmaster-General, Hon. F. Jones, in an interview this evening. Mr. Jones also indicated that a sub-committee of the Cabinet had been set up to deal with details of broadcasting policy preparatory to the assumption by tho Government of control of the broadcasting system under legislation passed by Parliament last week.

"As I stated during the debate on the Broadcasting Bill," Mr. Jones said, "there are 200,000 homes in New Zealand without a radio set. Our aim is to bring tho benefits of broadcasting into those homes as soon as possible. We want people to look on the radio service just as they look on electricity, gas or the telephone—something which is a necessary adjunct to every home. There seems no doubt that the question of price represents a barrier to many people who would normally like to own a radio set. Cheapness and Efficiency "The same position has arisen in England, and the British Broadcasting Corporation has been investigating a scheme in Germany whereby the German Government and the manufacturers have co-operated in the production of a cheap but efficient standard set. The scheme is regarded hopefully in Great Britain and there is no reason why it should not be regarded just as hopefully in New Zealand "

Mr. Jones said that officers of his department had recently been experimenting with the design and construction of a possible standard set. The Government hoped to be able to find out at what cost such a set could economically be produced and then it would probably be prepared to enter into negotiations with manufacturers in New Zealand in an endeavour to put the standard set on the market. Payment ol Royalties

"I have stated previously that the question of royalty payments requires investigation," Mr. Jones continued, "and that it appears that we are paying higher royalties than are charged in England. However, that is a matter which will receive attention in due course." The Postmaster-General added that much had to be done in preparing for full State ownership of the broadcasting system its New Zealand and very little time remained before the Broadcasting Act came into operation on July 1. In consequence, there was not likely to be any change with regard to B stations until after that date. The ljasis for the payment of subsidies to the B stations would also have to be finally settled. "I hope the public will not expect or demand any great change in the broadcasting service immediately the change in control is effected," Mr. Jones said. "A tremendous number of details has to bo hammered out in the meantime and with that end in view a small sub-committee of the Cabinet has been set up to lay down fundamental principles in keeping with the Government's policy as disclosed in the Broadcasting Act. I No Decisions on Appointments

"No decisions have yet been made regarding the appointment of a director of broadcasting, or the members of the Advisory Council which may be set up under the Act. These are matters for future consideration; as also is the question of making new regulations for the control of broadcasting. "The Government has not yet decided on the purchase of any of the existing B stations for operation as commercial stations, but is prepared to consider th» offer of any B station which is prepared to sell out and which is suitable for the particular type of service which will be provided by commercial stations."

THE BRITISH PROPOSAL OPPOSITION BY TRADE "WAY TO STOP PROGRESS" Opposition to the proposed scheme in Britain for a cheap standard wireless set was expressed in a recent statement issued by the Radio Manufacturers' Association, according to the London Times. The association, which claims to represent 95 per cent of the manufacturers in Great Britain, viewed with apprehension the Broadcasting Committee's recommendation that "the British Broadcasting Corporation and the wireless trade should jointly examine the possibility of designing and putting on sale at a low fixed price a standard receiving set," and was strongly opposed to the recommendation that the ownership and operation of relay exchanges should be under- I taken by the Post Office. Commenting on what it (described as the proposal for "a Government standard receiving set,'" the statement suggested that the recommendation appeared to have been made without full consideration of the effect such a step would have 011 the improvement of design and manufacture. "In order to protect the market," the statement proceeded, "for the low-priced standard set and maintain the sales. th*> 8.8.C. would be driven to try to delay the introduction of improved sets bv the radio traders in competition with the 8.8.C. standard set. Tho public would loso the benefit of new developments ill design in order that the saloj of tho standard sot might be maintained. "Those persons who may bo inclined to think tho public would benefit by the introduction of a standard wireless receiver designed by the 8.8.C. should remember tho bitter complaints about out-of-date Post Office telephone receivers. For years the Post Offico forced tho telephone subscribers to put up with out-of-date receivers, because they were tho standard model which had been adopted by tho Post Office and to scrap them would have involved a heavy loss on old stock and manufacturing contracts. "A standard wireless receiver adopted by tho 8.8.C. would produce similar results. Every art and device known to tho 8.8.C. would bo used to keep tho standard set in use when hopelessly out of date. The surest way to stop progress in the wireless world will be to adopt the suggestion of the report that the 8.8.C. shall introduce a standard receiving set."