BROADCASTING SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 178, 31 July 1940, Page 6

BROADCASTING SERVICE

1407,000 INCOME IN YEAR PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE AMOUNTS TO £110,410 WELLINGTON, July 30. The National Broadcasting Service, with an income last year ot £407,991. has transferred to the Accumulated Funds £140,840 of its reserves, which now stand at £698,362. This information was contained in the annual report presented to Parliament to-day. Licence fees totalled £380,470 and expenditure on programmes £110,410. "The importance of broadcasting as a direct and indirect instrument of modern warfare is now quite obvious to everyone,” states the report. "The general policy adopted has been to give, as far as possible, full, authentic information to the public, while at the same time maintaining the normal service. For several days at the outbreak of war the anxiety of the public was allayed by maintaining a continuous daily service of 24 hours, but as soon as possible this was curtailed. The broadcasting of Daventry news has been reduced several times since.” Building plans for the new broadcasting house near Parliament Building had been completed, but owing to existing conditions the building would not be proceeded with at present. An improvement of the coverage in areas not enjoying first grade reception has been planned and would be given effect to as soon as circumstances permitted. Expenditure on the official journal of the service was £30.437, including the preliminary expenses and one free distribution. The revenue w'as £18,096. The report by the controller of commercial broadcasting stated that the revenue for the year was £171.548 and a net profit of £22,056 was earned, which enabled the accumulated adverse balance of £2710 to be removed. Provision to the extent of £13.400 was being made for the payment of income tax, and the net result was a favourable balance of £417 Advances to the commercial service from the national broadcasting account had been reduced by £24,091 to £77,025.