FOOTBALL BROADCASTING.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2319, 3 April 1930, Page 4

FOOTBALL BROADCASTING.

We would congratulate the Cambridge and Waipa Rugby Football SubUnions on -the recommendation placed before the .annual meeting of the Waikato Union on Friday evening last that the Union be requested to urge the authorities to alter their decision anent the non-broadcasting of the Rugby test matches between the visiting British team and the All Blacks. It was a narrow attitude that prompted the decision not to broadcast, the matches. As pointed out by the Cambridge and Waipa delegates at Friday's meeting the only possible chance thousands of New Zcalanders have to gaiu nearly first-hand knowledge of the test matches is per medium of wireless. Especially to those people situated away in the backblocks should i.t be our aim to provide them with a maximum of wireless service. They are entitled to the greatest consideration, for they have gone out of the beaten track. It is not their privilege to take a tram or some other vehicle a short distance and see the best of entertainment the Dominion has to offer. To them wireless is a very real blessing and they should have the opportunity of making tho

greatest possible use of this latest facility of the home. Even in the towns and settled districts in the country there will be many thousands who will not be able to make a trip to the cities to sec the test matches. Why should they bo debarred from hearing wireless descriptions of the matches? It Jias to be appreciated that in Rugby football progress the country districts are playing a major part, and this interest will not be encouraged by an attempt to deprive country enthusiasts of the opportunity of hearing accounts of the test matches by wireless. It is no doubt said that the wirelessing of reports of test matches will have the effect of lightening the gate takings when the visitors tour the country centres, and also that it might affect the gates in the cities. Far from having a detrimental effect upon the gates, the reverse is likely to be the case. Wc trust that the action taken by the subunions referred to will help bring the pressure needed to have the decision altered so that the test matches with the British team will be broadcasted throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion.