B CLASS RADIO STATIONS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21412, 2 March 1935, Page 14

B CLASS RADIO STATIONS

REQUESTS TO PARLIAMENT Drastic changes in the regulations affecting B class stations were asked for in several resolutions passed at the monthly meeting of the Radio 3ZM Club on Thursday evening. The resolutions were:— 1. "That this meeting of the executive committee of the Radio 3ZM Club, representing approximately 5000 subscribing families (roughly 20,000 listeners) request Parliament to consider favourably when dealing with the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, 1935, our requests, as follows: (a) "That if the Broadcasting Board be given the right to control and interfere with B class stations' programmes, then B class stations should, ii. equity, be afforded the equivalent right of direct represemation (by an election by B class stations) on the Broadcasting Board. (b) "That the Broadcasting Board be not given authority to interfere with the existing programme arrangements by B class stations, unless approved by the B class stations. (c) "That the Broadcasting Board subsidise all B class stations placed the control of the board, such subsidy to be not less than £3OO per annum. <d) "That B class stations be allowed to continue their existing arrangements for raising revenue for operating expenses. (e) "That B class stations be permitted to continue broadcasting birthday and other greetings and also request items." 2. It was also resolved thai:— (a) "This club views with concern the provisions in the bill which apparently give the Broadcasting Board the power to curtail, if the board thinks fit, the existing rights of B class stations' hours of transmission: on the other hand, the club would view with approval power given to the Broadcasting Board to extend the hours of transmission and power used by B class stations, if so requested by them.

(b) "That a pronouncement be given by the Minister in charge of the bill that there is nothing in the bill, or will be introduced by regulation under the bill, intended to secure abandonment of broadcasting by any B class station. (c) "That provision be made in the bill for the setting up of a board or /court of appeal to adjudicate between the parties in the event of any dispute between the Broadcasting Board and any B class station. (d) "That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Postmaster-Gen-eral and all members of Parliament and be handed to the principal newspapers of the Dominion."