TELEVISION SERVICE FOR NEW ZEALAND "FAIRLY SOON"

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1950, Page 4

TELEVISION SERVICE FOR NEW ZEALAND "FAIRLY SOON"

Prospects And Probabilities Are Being Looked Into

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Light (PA).—Although it would cost a lot of money to establish a television service in New Zealand, the cost would probably be less than originally thought, said the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr. Doidge) in the House of

Representatives tonight. He said that as a result of discussions he had during his recent visit to London, experts would soon survey the problems involved and he hoped a plan for developing television could be placed before the house and the country in due course. “It is better than a possibility,” he said. Very soon, as a result of the Information he had brought back, experts would be busy and he hoped definite plans would be put before the country as soon as possible, with prospects of establishing a service in the fairly near future. The fact that New Zealand was a small country had some advantages as well as disadvantages. He had been told that provided the masts and the ground were available a coverage within a 15-mile radius could be established without undue expenditure. Mr Doidge was replying during discussion of the broadcasting estimates to his predecessor, Mr F. Jones (Opp.,

St. Kilda), who said that some departmental officers were sent overseas last year to study television developments. ; Mr Jones said the provision of a | television service in New Zealand would be a tig undertaking, and fie I hoped the Government would make It 'a State undertaking on similar lines to the Broadcasting Service. New I Zealand's mountainous terrain would I limit the coverage that could be given. He hoped the Minister would not leave lit to private enterprise to establish the service. In the United Kingdom television was provided by a State undertaking, and the same pattern should be followed here. | Mr Doidge said his recent discussions in London had convinced him ,that television was practicable for New Zealand. [ Mr Doidge said he would ask the department's officers to outline the expected obstacles to establishing television in New Zealand. This outline would be submitted to those with whom he had discussions in London, and if they could show that these obstacles could be overcome that I would be all to the good.