THE RADIO CENTRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 156, 30 December 1938, Page 8

THE RADIO CENTRE

GOVERNMENT'S PLANS

SHORT-WAVE PROJECT

CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC

The development of radio and the provision of a conservatorium of music were discussed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in an interview published in "The Standard."

After expressing the view that there was no stopping place in the development of radio, Mr. Savage said the new broadcasting building which was to ,b erected behind Parliament Builc .igs was only the first instalment of a ireat radio centre which was

planned. "Proper provision is being made for extensions; it will not be a question of patchwork," the Prime Minister continued. "We have the ground-work plans and we will be able to continue the construction of the building when we are ready to do so."

The Conservatorium of Music was a definite part of the plan, /he added. There was no reason why New Zealanders should not have the opportunities for cultural development, and they were to be given those opportunities. The provision of a short-wave broadcasting station was also included. There was not an argument against the installation of short-wave broadcasting.

" go to a lot of expense adverts.. New Zealand in the Old Country and elsewhere and we should also be able to do it by direct means," Mr. Savage said. "We want New Zealand opinion to be known in other lands; we don't want to hide our light.

"There is misrepresentation of New Zealand at this moment in Australia and Britain and elsewhere, and it is about .imc the voice of New Zealand was heard over the air. We should also make our views known by means of Labour newspapers."

Mr. Savage said the feeling of the Government was that the whole of the scheme should be completed as soon as possible, but with so many other problems requiring attention, particularly the provision of homes for the people, and in view of the shortage of skilled labour, everything could not be done at once.

The scheme . affected the children who 'were the future ' rulers of the State, he added. They needed instruction in much more than "the three R's," and they should have the opportunities of learning music. Life was not maintained by bread alone; there were a thousand and one other things that had to be considered.