RADIO STORM BREWING

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 5

RADIO STORM BREWING

IYA DIRECTOR'S SUPERSESSION AUCKLAND LISTENERS "FED-UP" [Special to the 1 Stab.’] AUCKLAND, February 22. There was considerable astonishment among radio listeners last night when it was learned that Mr Trevor Stringer, station director at IYA, had received notice from Christchurch that he would he relieved of his duties at the local broadcasting station. In fact, Mr Stringer yesterday handed over the reins of office to Mr S. Hayden, who, it is understood, is now in temporary charge of the station, and who previously hold the post of director there. Mr Stringer, formerly president of the Auckland Listeners’ League, when asked this morning why ho had been superseded, said that ho could give no reason, because bo bad not been given the slightest reason by tho company, it is understood that Air Hayden arrived at IYA yesterday with a letter from headquarters, saying that lie was to take over tho command of the station. Mr Stringer dealt with several matters that needed his attention, and then left, and except to got bis mail, be has not been near the station since. The four station directors who- have had charge of IYA during the past eighteen months are Mr L. White, Mr Drayton Venables, Air S. J. Hayden, and Mr Trevor Stringer. > To-day Air Hayden said that he did not know how long bo would bo in charge, and bo could not say who was likely to bo the new appointment. Discussing with a ‘Star’ reporter the frequency of changes in the staif of IYA, Air A. C. Jacob, president of the Auckland Listeners’ League, who is in touch with public opinion on broadcasting matters, declared that such changes must reflect upon tho general efficiency of the station from the fact that be doubted if there was any real local control whatsoever. The broadcasting company had a perfect right to handle its officials as it thought best in its own interests, but_ tho company was in a peculiar position. It was supported entirely by the payments of those who, if they wished to enjoy broadcasting, bad to contribute to its revenue. Such people would naturally begin to think that there was a screw loose somewhere when they noticed official succeeding official. Auckland had been remarkably well served by tbo staff of tho local station, in Mr J. Al. Prentice it bad tbo best announcer that New Zealand has known, and in Mr Stringcr_ it bad a station director whose attributes for tho Dost were such as to place him, at the very lowest, on a par with others holding similar positions in the south. Now both were gone from the service, along with many others. There must be some, reason why the company cou! 1 not hold such good men in its service, ami the listener was inclined to the opinion tb.tr such reason lay largely in the .■uinordinaticii of all power and authority to that of Christchurch, 't was understood that no minor relay, which might he procurable on the spur of the moment, oi no' special item available in like manner, could be put on until Mm head office at Christchurch had given Its approval. “ How can those in authority (hero be fully aware of local conditions and requirements?" asked Air Jacob. "The fact is that ITA is in essence not an Auckland station, but a Christchurch one, inflexibly controlled from there, and with no initiative of its own. This nny be r.i ccsscr.v, according to Ihe broadcasting company’s policy, nut it is certainty not in the best interests of Aucklanders. .New Zealand needs its broadcasting controlled with wide vision. Ask tbo general hotly of listeners-if they think such wide vision is being exercised.”

Air Jacob added that there was a storm browing in the Auckland radio world. Ho said that the listeners wore still patiently waiting for the co-opera-tion which was promised hot ween the listeners and the _ broadcasting company, hut, like radio itself, the whole thing was still in tho air. Another radio man said that, in addition to Hie station directors, Auckland had had in Air Orboll, tho most highly qualified radio engineer engaged in broadcasting in the dominion. Me, too, had gone. I; lt is high time the whole thing came to a head, and this ought to be about the last straw. Listeners are getting ‘fed up’ with these frequent changes, which are obviously detrimental to smooth working among all concerned.'’