ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICE FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1944 Session I, F-03

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1944 NEW ZEALAND

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICE FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly 'pursuant, to the Provisions of the Broadcasting Act, 1936

REPORT

I have the honour to submit the annual report on the operations of the National BroadcastingService for the year ended 31st March, 1944, in accordance with the provisions of section 18 (1) of the Broadcasting Act, 1936. The Statutes Amendment Act dated the 26th August, 1943, repealed section 2 of the' Broadcasting Amendment Act, 1937. The effect of this amendment was to abolish the National Commercial Broadcasting Service as a separate organization and to transfer to the National Broadcasting Service under the Director of Broadcasting control of commercial as well as other national stations. The unified control of the two types of broadcasting service is working smoothly, and a better co-ordinated and more economically administered service should result. There were regular and frequent broadcasts of war news and commentaries, and in all national campaigns for the furthering of the war effort the Service played a prominent and effective part by the broadcasting of special talks, feature programmes, and announcements. As a result of these activities the time available for normal programmes of music and entertainment was curtailed and it was not always possible to provide for listeners the choice of alternative programmes that would ordinarily be available. There was, however, still a substantial amount of normal broadcast fare available each day, and the standard of this was maintained by the use of local performers and the best recorded material from overseas. The programme policies of the two types of stations, commercial and non-commercial, are being continued, but the pooling of resources made possible by the amalgamation under one control should result in an improved standard of programme. The allocation of time to various types of programmes and services has not been substantially altered, except for an increase of time for broadcasts connected with the war and a reduction in sporting broadcasts consequent on the restricted sporting events. At the request of the electricpower authorities the Service has limited the hours of broadcasting in order to help in the conservation of power. From June onwards all stations ceased transmission from 5.15 p.m. to 5.45 p.m. each week day, and listeners were requested to switch off their receiving-sets to save power. While the power thus saved by stations is not great, that saved by the resultant switching-off of radio sets is very considerable. The actual power used by all the stations in New Zealand is only onefortieth of the total power used by receiving-sets in the Dominion. National Stations Programmes: Broadcasting and the War. —Extensive use was made of broadcasting in furthering the war effort. This embraced talks by Government and other prominent speakers, special war-effort programmes, and intensive publicity campaigns in connection with such matters as war loans, national savings, Patriotic Fund appeals, dig for victory, salvaging of waste materials, rationing, and food-production. Broadcasts from certain foreign stations were monitored, and the information received, including particulars of New Zealand prisoners of war, was communicated to the appropriate authorities. Regular broadcasts of news and commentaries kept the public in touch with the progress of the war, while an increased number of broadcasts of personal messages and talks from NewZealanders overseas provided a constant link with our Forces abroad. The normal broadcasting programmes of music, entertainment, and information contributed to the maintenance of pub lie morale.

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News and Commentaries. —By the courtesy of the British Broadcasting Corporation, news from Londpn has been rebroadcast eight times daily, together with commentaries and war talks. An amplified overseas news service was given when news of special importance was received. By arrangement with the United States Office of War Information, the Service rebroadcast " What the American Commentators Say " five nights weekly from Station KWII) San Francisco. The presence of American Forces in the Dominion and the importance of understanding the American point of view in war and post-war action by the United Nations resulted in a •continuance of programmes as supplied by the United States Office of War Information, including talks and commentaries by distinguished American speakers on subjects of mutual interest to New Zealand and the United States. At 9 o'clock each evening the main stations broadcast the N.B.S. Newsreel, and at 7 o'clock news by courtesy of the daily newspapers, as well as sports results, market reports, &c. The broadcasting of a weekly summary of overseas news in the Maori language was continued. A nightly digest of New Zealand news supplied by the Director of Publicity was broadcast to our Forces in the Pacific. Talks. —Broadcasts were made by Their Majesties the King and Queen, and talks by distinguished speakers overseas were a very important feature of the programmes, among whom were Her Majesty the Queen of the, Netherlands, the Right Honourable Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt, the Right Honourable C. R. Atlee, Field-Marshal Smuts, the Right Honourable McKenzie King, the late Colonel Frank Knox, the Right Honourable H. V. Evatt, and General Sir Bernard Montgomery. Rebroadcasts of talks by well-known British commentators such as Wickham Steed, McDonald Hastings, and J. B. Priestley continued to be popular. In addition to members of our fighting Forces, many New-Zealanders, overseas were rebroadcast from the 8.8.C. These included the Honourable W. Nash, Minister of Finance; the Honourable F. Jones, Minister of Defence ; Major the Hon. C. F. Skinner, Minister of Rehabilitation ; Mr. W. J. Jordan, New Zealand High Commissioner in London ; and David Low. Special interest attached to a rebroadcast from the 8.8.C. of Brigadier James Hargest, MP., after his escape from a prisoner-of-war camp. In New Zealand, His Excellency the Governor-General was heard in a national talk and a New Year message to the Dominion. Broadcasts were also made by the Prime Minister, while speakers from Parliament, the Services, and other sections of the community broadcast on a number of subjects ■connected mainly with the war effort. Among visitors to broadcast in New Zealand were Sir John Duncanson, Steel Controller of Great Britain ; Mr. L. W. Brockington, K.C., Empire Adviser to the British Ministry of Information ; Lord Burghley, of the British Ministry of Aircraft Production ; Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, Y.C., D.S.O. ; Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt; Sir Walter Layton, Sir Neville Pearson, and Mr. Samuel Storey, M.P., members of the British Press Delegation ; Rear-Admiral T. S. Wilkinson, of the United States Navy ; Professor Allan Nevins, distinguished American historian; Mr. Bankes-Amery, leader of the British Food Mission to Australia and New Zealand ; and the Honourable T. G. D'Alton, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand. The scope of local talks has been curtailed in some directions by war conditions, and developed in others. Evening talks on non-war subjects have been confined for the most part to the round-the-year features, gardening and book reviews, and to Winter Course sessions. On the other hand, a wide range of subjects was again covered in the morning talks particularly addressed to women. Frequent appeals were made on behalf of various public causes, and for co-operation in such war measures as rationing and production. Winter Course educational talks were broadcast from the main stations, and these included such subjects as " A Citizens' Guide to Modern Government," " Survey of New Zealand Literature," " New Zealand Economy after the War," " New Zealand and Current Ideas," and " Science Looks Ahead." As the demands of war upon the community increase, it is becoming commensurably difficult to arrange these series, and thanks are due to the local advisory committees and speakers. The Service continued to keep a careful watch on events and anniversaries which could be marked by special programme features. Tributes were paid to distinguished men and women who died in this and other countries. Overseas Rebroadcasts.—A listening watch was kept on overseas stations, and daily talks, commentaries, and programmes were rebroadcast or recorded for future use. Among other rebroadcasts was a programme from the City of Edinburgh to Invercargill, despatches from the New Zealand Broadcasting Unit with the Middle East Forces, and a presentation at Cairo to the Red Cross by New Zealand repatriated prisoners of war. Broadcasting and the Forces.- By means of our Broadcasting Units with the Forces in the Middle East and the Pacific, and the generous co-operation of broadcasting authorities overseas, personal greetings and talks by New-Zealanders serving overseas were frequently broadcast in New Zealand. Over 6,750 messages were broadcast in the programme " With the Boys Overseas." Of these messages, 3,390 were from the Middle East, 2,160 from the Pacific, and 1,200 from Great Britain, Canada, and the United States of America. In addition, many members of the Forces overseas recorded discussions, personal experiences, and commentaries, and approximately 200 of these were broadcast—94 came from the Middle East and just over 100 from the Pacific. Our Middle East Broadcasting Unit recorded an address by the Right Honourable Winston Churchill to the New Zealand Division, and this was later relayed throughout New Zealand. The broadcasting of greetings and talks occupied five hours per "week over the main National stations. ( During the year the Service forwarded overseas a regular weekly programme entitled " The News of the Week from Home," to be broadcast from Fiji and New Caledonia. The " Weekly News Letter " to Canada for broadcasting to Air Force trainees there was continued. In New Zealand the Service has co-operated closely with the Army Education and Welfare Service. Camps and posts throughout the country were provided with musical performances (orchestral and vocal), variety concerts, and gramophone recitals organized by the Service. Thanks are due to the many artists and members of the staff who have given their services so generously.

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A weekly session, " What do You Think ? " prepared in collaboration with the A.E.W.S., was broadcast to the Forces, intended to promote discussions in New Zealand camps. The broadcast signalling instruction for trainees of the Air Force was continued. In collaboration with the A.E.W.S., literary competitions were promoted among the New Zealand Forces in New Zealand and the Pacific. A large number of entries were received, some of which were high in quality. Music. -Examination of the published programmes will show that, by planning his listening, the New Zealand listener has had available an amount of good music which compares favourably with that -of other broadcasting organizations. Regular programmes of recorded music by the world's leading composers and artists were broadcast, as well as the best available local artists, who provided 2,404 broadcasts, and musical societies, choirs, and bands, which gave 590 recitals. Music by New Zealand composers was broadcast, in which works by Douglas Lilburn were featured. A number of school choirs were broadcast. There were 54 broadcasts of recorded operas. Amongst the overseas artists to broadcast were the English pianist, Andersen Tyrer, and the New-Zealand-born soprano, Madame Margherita Zelanda. Plays and Feature Programmes.—Besides many serial and feature programmes, approximately 100 major dramatic productions were broadcast from the main National stations. Plays presented have covered a wide range, from Shakespearian tragedies to light New Zealand comedies. Works have been presented by the following authors : Arnold Bennett, John Galsworthy, John Masefield, James Hilton, Jefferson Farjeon, J. R. Jeans, as well as several New Zelaand playwrights, including W. Graeme-Holder and Grace Janisch. Of the 227 scripts submitted, 68 were accepted, 47 being by New Zealand authors. Thirty-eight dramatic scripts entitled " Fighters for Freedom " from the New Zealand Office of War Publicity have been produced. Productions were presented each week in the school broadcasts under the titles " Ralph in Shakespeare's England," " Tales by Uncle Remus," and " Susie in Storyland." Several presentations were written and produced by the Service for the 3rd Liberty Loan Campaign, including " From King's Scarlet to Battledress," " Ngarimu the Maori," " The Navy Goes On," " Winged Investments," and " Wings for Victory." Light Music, Variety, and Bands.—Variety programmes from the best 1 overseas recordings and by local artists and companies, were broadcast. Community sings atid special sessions of dance music by New Zealand players from studios and cabarets were featured. Band performances, including those of the R.N.Z.A.F. and bands .from military camps, were broadcast, and variety ■concerts arranged by the Service were relayed from military camps. Considerable variety was added to the programmes by the recorded performances available as a wartime service from the British Broadcasting Corporation, the United States Office of War Information, and the Special Services Division of the United States War Department. These programmes included many outstanding entertainers whose performances would not otherwise have been available. Specially interesting live broadcasts were a number of relays of theatre performances by the Kiwi Concert Party on leave from the Middle East, and a broadcast of Artie Shaw's U.S.A. Naval Band from a camp in New Zealand. Outside Broadcasts.—Relays of events of national interest included the proceedings at the the opening of the Arawa Centennial Memorial at Te Awahau and Ohinemutu; the requiem service in memory of the Right Honourable J. G. Coates ; the requiem mass for the late Bishop Brodie ; receptions throughout the country to Mr. L. W. Brockington, K.C., Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, and Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt; the opening of a Dig for Victory Exhibition and a training centre for disabled servicemen at Wellington by the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable P. Fraser. - Parliamentary Broadcasts. —The proceedings of the House of Representatives were broadcast regularly, with necessary observance of wartime restrictions. The national observance of a minute's silent prayer at 9 p.m. during the chiming of Big Ben was recognized by the members of the House standing while the chimes were broadcast in the chamber. Religious Broadcasts. —Morning and evening services each Sunday, devotional services each week-day morning, and a short wartime prayer service on Wednesday evenings were broadcast. Special intercessory services as requested by His Majesty the King and monthly citizens' intercessory services were also relayed. The broadcasting of the chimes of Big Ben at 9 p.m. each •evening for the observance of silent prayer was continued. A short talk by Archbishop West-Watson on the election manifesto issued by the Campaign for Christian Order, together with eight five-minute talks by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Forces everywhere, were relayed by the main stations. A series of 8.8.C. talks by British Church leaders was also broadcast. The thanks of the Service are due to the Central Religious Advisory Committee and to the local Church Committees for their valuable co-operation in the arrangement and conduct of religious broadcasts. Broadcasts for Schools.—The broadcasts to schools, during 1943-44 were organized on a national basis. Policy was determined by a committee representing the National Broadcasting Service, the Education Department, and the New Zealand Educational Institute. During 1943 there were four half-hour broadcasts to primary schools each week. These sessions were divided into talks, history through literature (dramatized), rhythm for juniors, and music. Owing to the paper shortage, booklets were not supplied to pupils, but a music booklet was issued to each teacher. A total of 1,106 schools (about 79,500 pupils) listened to these broadcasts. A new series of French programmes was broadcast, and a booklet was issued—one cojty to -each two pupils. One hundred and forty-six secondary schools (6,570 pupils) utilized these broadcasts.

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The Education Department's Correspondence School broadcast a weekly session of forty-five minutes, which was later extended to two half-hour sessions. The programmes were arranged by Correspondence School teachers, and included talks on physical education, travel, music, and singing lessons. Women's Sessiom. —Talks specially designed for women and covering a' wide range of subjects were again presented in the mornings. The weekly " Home Front Talk" from main stations was continued. The Service was again indebted to the Association for Country Education, Otago University, for a series of twice-a-week talks on various aspects of domestic economy. These have given valuable advice about diet and housekeeping generally, including difficulties incident to shortages. When meat rationing was introduced, the Association provided special talks to explain rationing and give recipes to meet the conditions. Popular talks were given regularly on health in the home, prepared by the Department of Health. The daily session, " For My Lady," included serial dramas and many programmes on great musicians, singers, and composers. Sporting Broadcasts.—Sporting broadcasts were continued on a restricted scale. Club and representative Rugby matches numbered 113. Cricket matches, racing and trotting meetings, and other sporting fixtures, including Rugby League matches in Auckland, the New Zealand Swimming Championships, the Combined Services' Athletic Meeting, and surveys of play at the Dominion Bowling Championship, were covered. Every Sunday evening Station 2YA and the short-wave station ZLT 7 broadcast for New Zealand Forces in the Pacific a brief survey of the chief week-end sporting results of the Dominion. Endeavours were made to cover all sporting activities which might be of interest to members of the Forces overseas. In addition to the broadcast, the particulars were supplied to the Armed Forces for inoludion in their newspapers and bulletins. A commentary on the running of the 1943 Melbourne Cup was rebroadcast by courtesy of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Special Services and Co-operation with other Government Departments.—For security reasons, weather reports and birthday greetings for children were not broadcast. Seven hundred and sixty announcements regarding missing cars and motor-cycles and 338 appeals relative to missing persons were broadcast. Extensive use was mode of broadcasting in furtherance of the war effort and also in informing people of the procedure to be followed on occasions such as voting at the General Elections. Co-ordinated publicity was undertaken by means of talks, special programmes, and announcements on many aspects, including Liberty Loans, national savings, and the campaign conducted in connection with comforts for the National Patriotic Board's Fighting Forces Appeal. Patriotic and Liberty Loan concerts were organized by the Service and broadcast. National Broadcasting Service Recordings.—Shortage of material made it necessary to curtail the recording activities,, the main recording done being that connected with war news and commentaries and events of national importance. In these categories the records made during the year will be of great historic and programme value in the future. The " New Zealand Listener ".—The New Zealand Listener continues to show an increased circulation and remains one of the most widely-circulated and closely-read journals in the Dominion. The shortage of newsprint and, the consequent restriction on its use has resulted in a reduction in the average number of columns per issue, while the average volume of advertising per issue has shown a slight tendency to increase. Programmes of all stations are still printed in some detail, and space was found for advance publicity of important broadcasts. In spite of paper restrictions, the Listener still co-operates with the Department of Health in the education of the public in the simple laws of health. Every issue devoted space to the war and national morale by special articles and editorial comment. The journal has provided a valuable liaison with listeners, and has on such occasions as the parliamentary elections specially featured supplementary information which has contributed to the success of the broadcast programme. Relations with Overseas Organizations. The 8.8.C. again accorded the Service much valuable assistance, for which grateful acknowledgment is recorded. Permission to rebroadcast the Empire stations was again available, and many excellent recorded programmes were sent to New Zealand by the 8.8.C. At the invitation of the 8.8.C. the Service supplied material for inclusion in 8.8.C. programmes on Empire Day, recorded messages from members of the British Army in New Zealand for Christmas Day, and contributions from the National Broadcasting Service's Pacific Service Broadcasting Unit. Thanks are due to the Australian Broadcasting Commission for extending valuable facilities to the Service, particularly in the short-waving from Sydney to England of the Service's contributions to 8.8.C. programmes. This covered recorded messages from British children in New Zealand for inclusion in the Australian Broadcasting Commission's session, " Hello, Parents." By arrangement with the Commission the results of the Federal Elections in Australia were broadcast in New Zealand. The Pacific Broadcasting Unit, recorded messages from the Fijian Forces for broadcasting by the Fiji Broadcasting Service. Thanks are also due to other overseas broadcasting Services, particularly for facilities afforded New-Zealanders with the Forces overseas to broadcast messages to New Zealand, which are recorded and rebroadcast. In order that members of the American Forces in New Zealand might have available programmes of the type to which they are accustomed to hear in their home country, the Broadcasting Service allocated Station IZM to the United States authorities, and this station will, so long as the need exists, be operated by those authorities as an American Expeditionary Force Station. Short-wave Broadcasts. —The Service broadcast each evening over Station 2YA and the Post and Telegraph Department's short-wave station, ZLT 7, a ten-minute digest of New Zealand news supplied by the Director of Publicity. The short-wave broadcast was directed to the New Zealand Forces in the Pacific beyond the coverage of Station '2YA.

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Election Broadcast. —Prior to the election, instructions were broadcast relative to enrolment. During the campaign, speakers from various parties had opportunities of addressing electors over the air. On the days of the election for the Maori and European constituencies full progress results were broadcast as they were received bv the Chief Electoral Officer. The stations remained on the air until 2 o'clock on the Sunday morning following the polling for the European constituencies, when addresses were given by the Right Honourable the Prime Minister and the Honourable the Leader of the Opposition. Details of the election results were broadcast at regular intervals 011 the day following the elections. Thanks are due to the Chief Electoral Officer and the Post and Telegraph Department for their valued co-operation 011 these occasions. Development of New Zealand Talent.- During the year the passing of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1943, extended the powers of the Minister " to include power to do all such things as he considers to be in the interests of the community for the purpose of developing and improving broadcasting talent." Every effort was made to assist authors and musicians to develop, and the services of experienced officers were made available in criticising constructively any radio plays which were submitted. During the year recordings were made the Tokomaru Native School Choir. The operetta " The Sleeping Beauty," by special arrangement with the Rev. G. E. Dallard, the author and composer, was recorded for presentation in the Children's Sessions. Among special performances arranged of the work of local composers and writers was the broadcast by the National Broadcasting Service String Orchestra of " Elegie to Celebrate Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, V.C.," written by Mrs. D. Baddeley, with music by the Rev. T. R. Rawle, and arranged for mixed voices and orchestra by Mr. Thomas Gray. Narrative and lyric poems, radio plays, short stories, and descriptive sketches by members of the Forces were also sponsored with the A.E.W.S., and some of the contributions were of high quality. Financial Report.—The Revenue Account for the year ended the 31st March, 1944, and the Balancesheet as at that date appear in parliamentary paper B. 1 [Pt. IV]. The revenue for the year amounted to £512,474, which comprises license fees, £434,067; receipts from sales of and advertising in New Zealand Listener, £34,544 ; interest, £18,632 ; rents of lands and buildings, £803 ; and recovery of technical services at cost from the Commercial stations, £24,428. Expenditure for the year was £285,163, leaving a surplus of £227,311. The chief items of expenditure were : programmes, £101,846 ; operation of stations, £69,880 ; administration, £44,864 ; New Zealand Listener, £27,319 ; depreciation, £29,082 ; Broadcasting Units with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas, £4,428 ; troop entertainment in New Zealand, £5,818 : miscellaneous, £1,926. The fixed assets at the beginning of the year were valued at £221,357. Additions amounted to £6,415, and depreciation was £29,082, leaving a balance of £198,690 at the end of the year. A further £220,000 was invested during the year to provide for future development and to overtake arrears of construction and equipment which have been held up owing to war conditions, making a total of £1,400,000 now invested for this purpose. Commercial Stations The year under review has again been a progressive one in all spheres, and the Commercial stations have continued to play an important part in the war effort. The programmes have maintained their popularity with the listener, and the total revenue for the year reached a new peak. The amalgamation of the Services was completed without any interference to advertising schedules or programme policy. Commercial Broadcasting and the War. Increased use was made during the year of the Commercial Broadcasting facilities to implement the war effort. This included national-service talks, campaigns for the Women's Land Service, salvage of rubber, paper and cleaning-rags, meat ration, the Royal New Zealand Air Force recruiting, dig for victory, electricity conservation, stabilization, and Liberty Loans. Many advertisers incorporated in their programmes messages which had a bearing on the various campaigns listed above, while other advertisers donated their complete time to the furthering of these aspects of the Dominion's war effort. News and Commentaries. In common with the National stations, news broadcasts from London have been rebroadcast seven times daily, and additional news flashes have been relayed when news of importance has been received. The rebroadcast of " What the American Commentators Say " was featured each evening. Advantage was taken of the United States War Department's activities, and many programmes featuring world-famous artists were broadcast for the benefit of Allied Servicemen in this country. Advertising.—Receipts from advertising amounted to £258,205. Many advertisers who have been constant users of the facilities of Commercial Broadcasting continued to sponsor programmes which have built up a large following among listeners. Increasing attention was still manifested by these advertisers to the quality of programmes,and they were conscious not only that the type affects their sales, but also that to provide a high-grade and varied entertainment was in the interests of wartime morale. ProgrammesAn analysis of the allocation of time to various types of programmes and services discloses that a reasonable balance has been maintained between advertising and entertainment. Feature Programmes.- Particular attention was paid to the quality of programmes used, and every effort was made to provide a varied entertainment for the listeners. First-grade programmes have been obtained from the leading production studios of Australia and America. In addition, many excellent 8.8.C. productions were regularly broadcast. A pleasing feature was the rapid increase in the use of New Zealand productions. Many of these programmes were written by New-Zealanders and produced in the studios of the Commercial stations. At present ten New-Zealand-produced features, are being broadcast, and it is anticipated that further expansion will take place in this direction in the future. In addition to the dramatic presentations, a wealth of popular entertainment, including programmes presented by the world's leading comedy stars, has been presented. Children's Sessions.—The shut-down period observed to reduce power-consumption interrupted the presentation of the Children's Sessions. Nevertheless, these continue to combine entertainment and education. Every encouragement is given to children to take part in their own sessions, which frequently feature general-knowledge problems. Children's choirs have been formed in some centres, and promising results have been obtained. •

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Sports Sessions.—The Commercial stations concentrated on providing complete coverage of results by means of sports flashes. The response from listeners indicated that the service is greatly appreciated. Financial Report. —Station time sales for the year reached a new peak of £258,205, representing an increase over the previous year's operations of £25,851. In addition, local and national community organizations of the non-profitmaking type received free courtesy advertisements to the value of £8,000, while the National Patriotic Appeals and various Government Departments, particularly those connected with the furtherance of the war effort, received substantial reductions in rates of an aggregate benefit of £6,000. The trading surplus for the year was £96,672, out of which £81,000 has been set aside to meet taxation demands. Engineering Section The National Broadcasting Service was at the 31st March, 1944, servicing the technical equipment of nineteen stations. These included the Commercial stations (marked C), and the technical details are as follows : —

Great difficulty was still experienced in obtaining technical equipment of all kinds, and consequently new development was limited. All available equipment was needed to maintain the existing services, and the technical staff was taxed to its utmost on operational'and maintenance duties. During the year the 2ZB studio equipment was redesigned and brought up to date, the 2YD transmitter was modernized, recording equipment installed at Auckland, and the recording equipment at other stations was redesigned to bring it up to present-day standards. A new receiving-station in the vicinity of Wellington will be completed in the near future, and listeners will benefit by clearer reception of overseas broadcasts which are rebroadcast throughout New Zealand. The aerial masts are at present being serviced, and the guys of the masts, which are 500 ft. high at Auckland and Dunedin and 700 ft. high at Titahi Bay, are being treated. The technical staff at the transmitters is in need of additional housing, and a total of eleven new houses for married officers are being erected at the transmitter sites at Titahi Bay, Opapa, Henderson, Gebbies Pass, Highcliff, and Dacre. Constructional work completed during the year by the Engineering Section included the assembling of equipment for the National Broadcasting Service mobile unit in the Pacific, and public address systems for the National Patriotic Fund Board in connection with the Kiwi Concert Party. Honrs of Transmission.- The total transmission time of National and Commercial stations was 80,483 hours, in which 53 hours were lost owing to technical faults and power failures. Receiving Licenses.-- During the year 375,453 receiving licenses were issued, an increase for the year of 7,290. James Shelley, Director of Broadcasting.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given printing (557 copies), £10.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 944. Price 6'd.]

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Station. Aerial Energy. Frequency. Wave-length. kW. Kilocycles. Metres. 1YA Auckland .. .. .. .. 10-00 650 462 1ZB Auckland (C) .. 1-00 1070 280 1YX Auckland .. .. .. .. 0-15 880 341 IZM Auckland .. .. .. .. 0-75 1250 240 2YA Wellington .. .. .. .. 60 -00 570 526 2ZJB Wellington (C) .. .. 1-00 1130 265 2ZA Palmerston North (C) .. .. 0-10 1400 214 2YB New Plymouth .. .. .. 0-03 810 370 2YC Wellington .. .. .. .. 5-00 840 357 2YD Wellington .. .. .. .. 0-20 990 303 2 YH Napier .. .. .. .. 5-00 750 395 2 YN Nelson .. .. .. .. 0-03 920 327 2ZJ Gisborne .. .. .. .. 0 - 10 980 306 3YA Christchurch .. .. .. 10-00 720 416 3ZB Christchurch (C) .. .. .. 1-00 1430 210 3YL Christchurch .. .. .. 0-30 1200 250 3ZR Greymouth .. .. .. 0-10 940 319 4YA Dunedin .. .. .. .. 10-00 790 380 4ZB Dunedin (C) .. .. 1-00 1310 229 4YO Dunedin .. .. .. 0-15 1140 263 4YZ Invercargill .. .. .. 5-00 680 441