RADIO REALM.

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 224, 22 June 1928, Page 3

RADIO REALM.

VARIOUS JOTTINGS. All Blacks by Radio. Although South Africa has some broadcasting stations and amateur transmitters there seems no possibility whatever of us being able to hear broadcast descriptions of the All .Blacks matches, or even to get the results ahead of the cable services. Some round-about course of re-broadcasts

may possibly result in something reaching us,‘ but’ even this is not at all likely. South Africa is tho most difficult spot in the world for New Zealanders to receive radio messages from; as far as can definitely be ascertained, only once has it been heard in New Zealand, and that was a short Morse message.

Japanese Stations. 1 A Masterton listener gets more than a fair share of the Japs by staying up till the early hours’ He gives the Dominion his dial settings for the different stations with other stations for comparison in the hope that other listeners will thus be aided in tuning-in some of the Japanese stations:—

Subsidised, Stations The radio writer of the Auckland

Sun points out that it seems a pity that new private stations should be starting up in areas now served by the Broadcasting Company, whilst there are areas which are not served except for the owners of multivalve sets. Such areas (says the writer) as New Plymouth, Napier and Gisborne would be ideal places for private stations and would attract quite a lot of new licenses. “It might be possible for some arrangements to be made whereby the Broadcasting Company could subsidise clubs and traders to enable them to erect and' operate small local transmitters. The old plants from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch might thus be put into a service which would be of benefit to both listeners and the authorities.”

The suggestion offered by the Auckland writer is well worthy of deep consideration, Small local stations would undoubtedly help to popularise radio. Eunning expenses would not be very heavy, as there are bound to be available men of experience who would help without reward, and local talent would always be available for “local” stations.

Coming Events, A fair warning of what may be expected in the near future as a result of the drop in licenses is contained in the latest number of the Broadcasting Company’s official organ. The paper laments the 20 per cent, drop in licences, as indeed we all do, but it throws the whole blame on the listeners. Naturally it says: “The loss of that revenue will inevitably react into the service given.” More writing on the wall 'is: “The company is exceeding the revenue provided by those who have so far renewed their licenses.” Quite evidently the paper is setting out to prepare listeners for some reduction in broadcast service, for which listeners will be asked to assume the blame. ' Election Propaganda. Broadcasting is playing a most important role in the Presidential election campaign now in progress in U.S.A., and ; owners of stations are securing big fees’ for the privilege of the air.” As Britain has removed the ban upon controversial broadcasting, the English stations may . also be? expected to play their part in next year’s elections. At present the 8.8. C., in dealing with controversial matter, is encouraging debates by prominent speakers, who put both sides of any public question before listeners. Will the New'(Zealand Parliament raise the local ban on controversy during the coming session, and shall we have Messrs Coates and Holland arguing diverse views'-' before same microphone before November The use and the abuse of broadcasting for political purposes have been demonstrated sufficiently in other lands to enable Parliament to say whether our New Zealand service should play a part in the forthcoming election.

JOAK ..... 3345. 481 2BL 349 494 JOIK 361 52 3LO 371 54 JOGrK 380 56J 4QG- t 385 581 JOHK 390 584 JOBK 400 604 5CL 409 63 There is still another Jap. station, JOFK, on 353 metres.