B. CLASS STATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 21715, 30 May 1932, Page 8

B. CLASS STATIONS

MOVE FOR ABOLITION. MR A. W. JONES’S VIEWS. Rumours have been current lately that pressure is being brought to bear upon the Government to abolish B class radio stations. This would be a most unpopular move in centres where listeners' are dependent upon, the B class service for local reception, and an agitation is being commenced, in order to prevent any such action being taken by the Government. Commenting on the position to a Times reporter on Saturday, Mr A. W. Jones (president of the Southland Radio Club and a member of the Advisory Council of the Broadcasting ~ ’ard) said he considered it would bo a great mistake if the Government abolished B class stations altogether but he was not averse to the activities of private broadcasters being under close supervision. “I think that there will always be a need for an alternative service,” he said, and related that in Wellington he had found that even more people listened to the local B class station than to 2YA. There would always be a rigidity about broadcasting from A stations, while B stations, being under private management, were naturally allowed more elasticity. The number of B stations, permitted to broadcast -hould be restricted, continued Mr Jones. He was opposed to : tore than one B station being permitted to operate in any centre, but he considered that at least one private station should be permitted and even encouraged in each centre. Too many stations caused overcrowding on the 1 -oadcast band and this was not desirable. Listeners should see that they were provided with an-efficient service and that nothing should be done to prohibit stations giving a • good alternative service. ’ '..