THE WIRELESS WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19624, 30 October 1925, Page 13

THE WIRELESS WORLD.

By Magka Vox. The ■writer acknowledges with thanks the N.Z. Wireless and Broadcasting News for October, together with The Canterbury Radio Journal. TUB OTAGO ASSOCIATION. A letter has been received from Wanganui by Mr It. Bruce, secretary of the Otngo Association, who is congratulated by the correspondent on the excellence of the association’s broadcasting work. The writer states that the station came in clearer, louder, and better than any others he was on for two evenings in succession. A similar opinion was expressed by a Wellington listener-in, who stated that the association’s programmes were heard very well indeed, having good power and modulation. Although (he station continues to transmit regular programmes, the position with it is quiet just now. The first me,eting for some weeks will be held on November Ifi, when, so fur ns >s at present known, only routine matters will be discussed. Members arc lying low at present, and are watching the llroadcasting dispute with interest. The general feeling would appear to be that radio broadcasters are looked upon with rather little confidence, but they are wished the best of luck. ON PORTABLE SETS. Writing to Station 4AB a Wellington radio man says:—“lt was with great pleasure that the writer listened to your excellent transmission last night. The strength was good . . . while listening to your very helpful lecture to lisler.ers-in about -making a portable set for Christmas you made the remark about having to use V.V. 199 valves, and stated that this was not quite satisfactory, because of the fact that it limited the use of the tubes to UV 199’s. It may be interesting to you to know that there is an adapter on the market for use in such cases, known as No. 429 adaptor. The Radio Corporation of America announces that tube bases will soon be standardised, so that, eventually one socket will fit all tubes, be they storage battery or dry cell tubes.” ELECTION NIGHT SERVICE. Inquiries have been received from country centres as to the broadcasting of poll results on election night. So far as is known, some arrangement will be made by our Dunedin station, as was the casein 1022, but no particulars are available. The only definite information available to the writer is that the station in question will this year will be making other arrangements in regard to information and results, if it intends to carry on. Mr F. Reid, who has lately returned from a tour of the United States, is again in Dunedin. ilc is well up in the latest developments of radio in America, and will probably have some interesting information for local amateurs. EXHIBITION BROADCASTING. RECENT CRITICISM AND COMMENT. The latest number of the Canterbury Radio Journal, which has come to hanJ, contains a brief review of the broadcasting position in New Zealand, written by Mr L Siadj. After disc-vising the progress of the Radio Broadcasting Co. of New Zealand, ho continues: “Plans for remodelling the plant (at 4YA, the Dunedin Station, now the property of the company), increasing the power, and adding special input apparatus are well in hand, with a view to broadcasting Exhibition programmes. It is understood that the organised efforts of another company to encroach on the duty of the Broadcasting Company, have been rebuffed bj- the department refusing to grant a license, as the Broadcasting Company formed for the purpose of broadcasting in New Zealand was prepared to undertake the work and guarantee the efficiency. The department is to be congratulated on its stand, as many readers will remember that it is only a few months ago that the Government had to pass legislation to prevent the broadcasting stations in this country being closed down by another company. Furthermore, as the new- company is a Now Zealand concern, having Hie interest of Dominion broadcasting as its object. and is formed under an arrangement with tho Government, the granting of a license to an outside concern while this company was prepared to carry out tho service could only be constructed as a breach of faith.”

In fully agreeing with Mr Slade on this matter, tb© writer would point out that, according to a statement he has received from the Broadcasters’ representative, only the valves, generator, and motor from 4YA will be used at the Exhibition. .In all other particulars the set will be new and up-to-date. AN AUCKLAND UPHEAVAL. The latest number of the Now Zealand Wireless and Broadcasting News devotes an article headed ‘"The Exhibition Fiasco” to a report of what is described as an indignation meeting held at Auckland. It is reprinted from the Auckland Star. The title of the article would suggest that broadcasting proposals in conjunction with the Exhibition were a fiasco. It would bo interesting to know why. The meeting was indignant mainly because the Amalgamated Wireless of Australasia had been unable to obtain permission to erect and maintain a broadcasting service during the Dunedin Exhibition in preference .to an all-New Zealand Company, and indicts the New Zealand Company in the following resolution: This meeting q# Auckland listenors-in enter an emphatic protest against the present broadcasting position in New Zealand. We deplore the secrecy which has veiled the past negotiations of the Government to obtain a broadcast service in the Dominion, and the failure of the Radio B.C. Company of New Zealand (Ltd.) to define its future policy. Wo feel that the Government has been guilty of a serious breach of faith in taxing up for a service which has not materialised, and in making various promises that listeners would have , a direct voice in the control of broadcasting, whereas no provision is made for the Broadcasting Board, as defined by the Secretary of the P. and T. Department in a letter of 6th Mav to licensees, in the agreement between the Postmastergeneral and the trustees of the broadcasting company. Further, the Prime Minister bad declared that there will bo no monopoly of broadcasting in Now Zenland, and yet Amalgamated Wireless of Australia has been unable to obtain permission to erect and maintain a broadcasting service free of all charge to listeners-in during the course of the Dun- ; dlin Exhibition.

The explanation made by Broadcasters’ representative in this column last week answers many of the points in this resolution, and shows that the statement, accusing the Government of a breach of faith in taxing up for a service that has not materialised, is quite premature. It would have been perhaps wiser to “wait and see.” as no one can yet sav what the finality of Broadcasters’ service will be until it has been brought into complete operation. A CONTRADICTED STATEMENT. In the course of the meeting a telegram was road from Mr Robertson, of the Amalgamated Wireless, to Mr G. Salt, chairman of the Auckland Radio Association, who was apparently a leader in the attack nrrainst the Radio Brpadcastcrs of New Zealand. An extract is as follows: I gave assurance that the Dunedin station, even with the addition of many now parts, could not compare with the thorough modern and efficient station offered to the Exhibition.

Without wishing to show prejudice in fax our of Broadcasters Ltd., the writer would again emphasise the fact that h© has been definitely assured that a new and up-to-date apparatus has been offered bv it, and only the valves, generator, and motor will b’o taken from 4YA. It would bo perhaps fairer if a description of the Amalgamated set wore available, so that a comparison could be made. Professor Jack, of Otago, stated in a telegram that—“ Broadcasters know nothing about difficulties. Amalgamated have all experience in Australia at their disposal. It is to be hoped that the New Zealand Company will not have to make way for the Australian Company because of the latter’s Australian successes. 1 here seems no reason why Broadcasters should not prove equally successful. In the meantime all negotiations between the Exhibition and Broadcasters (Ltd.) are, for some obscure reason, being held up. Broadcasters’ representative in Dunedin charges the Wireless Committee with failure to expedite matters and come to a speedy understanding. He states that time is now valuable if the set is to be installed and arrangement! made, adding that the Exhibition authorities are giving the company no satisfaction, will not answer letters of inquiry, and seem to be putting every possible obstacle in the way of Broadcasters (Ltd.). MR V BITCH'ft STATEMENT. When appro® ehec' by the writer. Mr R. D. Vcitch, chairman of the Exhibition Wireless Committee expressed bitter disappointment at the present outcome of negotiations. The Telegraph Department had made a wonderful mass of the arrange-