WIRELESS IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 5

WIRELESS IN NEW ZEALAND

REGULATIONS ARE THE BEST” TWO NEW STATIONS GOING UP ' BETTER CONCERTS ASKED FOR The question as to whether one high-powered wireless station or four comparatively low-powered stations would he the more satisfactory for the Dominion, was referred to in the House yesterday, when Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) and Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) expressed the opinion that the present stations were not sufficiently powerful. The latter had been strongly advised, he said, not to erect a set at his residence at Heretaunga because he would not he able to communicate to Australia, although he would be able to hear messages from Australia. The Postmaster-General (Air Nosworthy), replied that the member for Invercargill was probablv like himself—anything hut an expert. But they would both learn as time went on. The Government proposed to erect a station at Auckland and one at Christchurch in the near future. He was assured that four stations, each of 500 watts power would produce infinitely more satisfactory results than the one big station with a power of 5000 watts. Australia he said, was wasting a lot of energy, and New Zealand had more than enough. He asked members to wait and see what the experiment would produce. He did not stand for a monopoly, and ho believed that, the four stations world benefit the cities as well as the country. “BEST IN THE WORLD” The Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Downie Steward) said that last year he had discussed the question of wireless in New Zealand with an eminent British scientist who visited

the Dominion, who assured him that more progress would be made in wireless in New Zealand than in any other country because the regulations at present in operation were the most suitable and the best advised from the point of view of the amateur. Australia would, the visitor had said, drop far behind unless they introduced regulations giving better treatment to the amateur. Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South): What was he referring to? Mr Stewart: One thing was about the amount of power to he used. Mr Howard: That is different. He would be talking about wireless telegraphy. Mr Stewart: No : he was speaking of the regulations generally and of wireless generally here. Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) complained of the poor programmes afforded within the Dominion for wireless amateurs. With the present price of the best opera music and the best singers on gramophone records. it would he waste of money to put in a wireless set if all the operator had to look forward to was the concert provided -in New Zealand. Fortunately, however, Australia had filled the want and provided good concerts. He asked for better singing talent and Fetter music for broadcasting in the Dominion. BROADCASTING SERVICE Mr W. A. VeitcE (Wanganui) complained that the present wireless broadcasting Company was not providing a satisfactory service, and lie asked about the contract. Mr Nosworthv said he would not admit that the broadcasting company had been a failure or was likely to bo so. They had undertaken to keep the service up to date: and he felt sure that a great change would take place when the new stations were erected. Mr Veitch: Will you remit the license fees till this service becomes available ? Mr Nosworthy: I will remit nofiiing. I know what lam doing. The contract is for five years, and the Government can terminate it at any time. We have no idea of terminating it, however, because we ore quite satisfied that it will not he a failure. The contract has gone twelve months. THE ELECTION RESULT Mr J- McCombs (Lyttelton) said people were doubtless dissatisfied with the existing service from the company. The success of the Government service in Australia made one think that such a course in New Zealand would he better than that conducted by a companv which was admittedly out for profit accumulation. A good service would he an advertisement to New Zealand in Australia and America. Ho asked for at least one big station of 5000 watt, power, though this could no? be at Wellington as it would smash all small valves in the vicinity. Mr Nosworthy: I am so hopeful about the four stations that I am prepared to give it a go, and X think that hv the time th" next elections come around you wTH have the results broadcasted to the furthermost parts of Australia —heard quite distinctly. (Laughter.) , , , Mr McCombs: We fried to broadcast the City Council meeting the other night. , , Mr TT T Armstrong (Clir'«tchurcli F.ast): T hope the result of ITTe elections will not he so disastrous ns the last one. (Further laughter.) Mr Nosworthy: That is in the lap of the gods.