AN EXAMPLE TO NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1933, Page 6

AN EXAMPLE TO NEW ZEALAND.

Reports of the development of radio broadcasting In Australia indicate that the New Zealand Radio Broadcasting Board might with advantage make a careful study of what Australia is doing with the object of following her example where practicable. The Australian Broadcasting Commission, which controls broadcasting in the Commonwealth, is composed of extremely capable men some of whom are well-known musical authorities, and as a result of the Commission’s live and capable administration the Australian programmes have been raised to a high standard. Enterprise has been shown in organising the programmes, and the Commission has even gone to England and abroad to secure first-class artiste. The New Zealand -authorities are at present chiefly concerned with the provision of a reasonably efficient coverage of the Dominion by improving existing stations and-establishing new ones, but it is to be hoped that before long they will be able to pay more attention to the standard of the programmes. The funds of the board are of course not nearly as substantial as those of the Australian Commission, and there is little complaint to make, from a popular point of view, of the gramophone record service. Many listeners, however, would be glad of an improvement in the standard of the “flesh and blood” programmes as opposed to the mechanical variety. To effect this there seems no option but to seek talent abroad, in which connection New Zealand could probably work in with Australia to mutual advantage. Nor should the latent talent in the Dominion be lost sight of. In Australia the AJ3.C. symphony orchestra provides a splendid musical service, and with a little organisation and not a great deal of cost employment might be found in New Zealand for some of the many capable artists deprived of a living by the introduction of the “talkies.”