RACING BROADCASTS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 10

RACING BROADCASTS

DECISION IN AUSTRALIA. RESTRICTIONS REMOVED. Sydney, July 9. After a controversy lasting over a number of months a definite has been reached in Australia to the effect that no restriction will' be placed on the broadcasting of race descriptions direct from the racecourse. It has been claimed that the advent of wireless has greatly increased the amount of illegal 'betting, and that hundreds of startingprice'bookmakers have flourished because of the facilities provided by the wireless. It is admitted that the police secure many convictions, but the campaign against illegal bookmakers cannot be regarded as successful. Many of the small, racing clubs complained that the broadcasting of race descriptions interfered with their attendances, and it was mainly on that ground that the Postal Department was invited to take action.

The Director of Postal Services, who controls, wireless, said the other day that there would not be any interference with a service which seemed to be so greatly valued by a majority, of the listeners. He agreed that facilities for an extension Of gambling among people who could not afford it was objectionable, but he would not recommend a discontinuance of race broadcasting. Many people secured, licenses so that they could learn the race results promptly.

The department, it was stated, was called upon to provide a service that was acceptable to all people. If racing broadcasts were stopped there would certainly be a falling off in the number of licenses issued, followed by a fall in the’revenue, and that would affect the general quality of the programmes. A curtailment of the service now provided would be reflected in' the wireless apparatus trade. Fewer sets would be sold.

Of course, it is competent for the race clubs, to say'that broadcasters will not be admitted to the course. That was triefl, and it failed. The wireless companies concerned promptly erected towers outside the courses affected by the ban, and continued their operations unmolested. Most of the race clubs have now bowed to the inevitable, and there are few courses in Australia where broadcasting is not a regular thing. The most bitter fights against broadcasting occurred in Adelaide. In one instance the broadcasting company installed its announcer on a tree outside the course, and with the aid of powerful glasses there was no dofficulty in giving listeners an adequate description of all the races. Another Adelaide club attempted to defeat the announcer outside the course by erecting a big canvas screen, but this was easily overcome by increasing the height of the tower. Next, the dub tried the experiment of placing the numbers of the placed horses in a position where they could not possibly be seen from outside the course. It was not long before the broadcasting company devised a plan of getting the required informatiou signalled to its announcer. The clubs gave up the fight, and now the announcer is given every facility.