BROADCASTING ERA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22903, 10 June 1936, Page 10

BROADCASTING ERA

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE PUBLIC AMPLE SCOPE FOR EXPANSION (From Our Paruamentart Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 9. “ Broadcasting is a national service and wc believe that it should be controlled by the Government in the interests of the people,” said the Postmaster-general (.Mr F. Jones), when moving the second readme of tlje Broadcasting Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. “We believe that it should bo used not only for entertainment. but for the enlightenment of the public on matters affecting their interests and welfare,” Referring to the growth in the popularity of broadcasting, Mr Jones said that when it was introduced in 1924 there had been 2830 sets licensed. Now, there were 102,265, and it was safe to say that there were over 500.000 listeners, but there was still room for expansion. “ There will undoubtedly be protests from the Opposition concerning the abolition of the Broadcasting Board,” Mr Jones said, “ but we believe it .is not wise (o delegate powers to an outside body of individuals. Thu board has done good service and I appreciate the cooperation I have received from members, but the board was invested with greater powers than the Government, I do not doubt the ability or the sincerity of the members of the board, but broadcasting is a service that should be brought under the control of the people through their elected renresentatives. HELP FOR B STATIONS “ Ever since I have been in Parliament at least, the Labour Party has stressed the importance of assisting the B stations.” continued the Minister, “ Some of them have attained great popularity, eveu to the extent of exceeding the national stations in public esteem, and as the B stations were responsible for pioneering the service they are entitled to some consideration. Objection may be taken to the fact that they are to receive n portion of the revenue from the licence fees in the form of a subsidy, but I would like to point out that out of the revenue of the British Broadcasting Corporation a large amount is used for purposes other than the promotion of the broadcasting service. “ I know the opinion has been formed that we were going to grant advertising rights to the B stations,” Mr Jones continued, “ and some of them will be disappointed, I was informed by a recent deputation, however, that only half of the B stations not at present receiving subsidies wished to advertise. That means that only seven B stations sought that right. I think the B stations will be quite willing to accept our proposals as they have been revealed in the Bill.” GOVERNMENT CONTROL In justification of the principle of Ministerial control, Mr Jones stated that a committee set np to consider broadcasting in Great Britain had recommended the appointment of ft Minister of Broadcasting. with the control of the technical side in the hands of the PostmasterGeneral. The Bill made provision for the appointment, if necessary, of a Minister of Broadcasting, and he thought it was a wise provision. Referring to the station now jituler construction at Titahi Bay, near • Wellington, the Minister said that by the end of the year the Government hoped to be able to broadcast from there in a way that would provide an almost Do-minion-wide coverage. The Government would provide a national service that would be available to districts which were r.ot at present adequately served. There w as enough land at Titahi Bay to provide for the establishment of a short-wave station and the Government could visualise (he time when such a station would be in operation. SCHOOL "BROADCASTS . Dealing with broadcasts for school children, the Minister said there were at present 550 schools receiving a service, and the number was increasing all the time. This provided a valuable mental stimulus to the pupils and while it was not intended to replace the teacher or even to implement the school syllabus it stirred the imagination of the children by introducing elements which no school could provide. It could be made a connecting link between the school and the main stream of national life. The Government intended to develop the service further and he thought it would be possible to show results in at least 12 months. The Minister stated that if the Government thought it necessary it would appoint a broadcasting advisory council. ‘lt might be necessary to have advice on the selection of programmes and other related matters, and if it was considered necessary to have assistance in that respect a council would be appointed. RADIO IN EVERY HOME

"There is plenty of loom for expansion in our broadcasting service,” continued the Minister. " There are at present over 200,000 homes in the Dominion which are not served, and the duty of the Government is to try to put the radio in every home. One of the principal obstacles is the high price of sets. If it is possibly,to provide a good set at a low price we will endeavour to do so. Royalties aj:e a factor in keeping up the prices of sets, and it may be pointed out that Hie royalties payable per valve socket for a six-valve set amount to 21s in New Zealand, compared with 5s 6d in England. I am not saying that there .is * racketeering,’ but we are making inouiries to see if the charges arc fair. Ro far ns this Government is concerned it is going to bring the radio to everyone.”