B STATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 8

B STATIONS.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —In regard to your editorial at to-day’s date, under the heading of ‘ The Cry About Muzzling,’ I respecfully request space to reply to this unwarranted and unsportsmanlike attack on the B class radio stations of New Zealand. Having perused the comments made in Parliament yesterday on this subject, I cannot see the reason for your statement that the muzzling complained of applies only to the B class stations, as your article would lead readers to believe. I read it as applying to all broadcasting in New Zealand, both A and B class stations. Your question, “ Who is muzzling the B stations?” is an entirely different one, and can be answered without leaving your office. „ The fact that the B class stations are in difficulties with the gramophone companies has nothing to do with the “ muzzling of the microphone,” and that the stations have ignored certain vested financial rights in connection with recordings is also incorrect as far as this station and others are concerned. Some' years ago a demand was made for royalties and the amount was fixed at £lO per annum, which was paid by this station and others, with the exception of two who refused. The following years were made, and as no legal’ action was taken against the defaulters no one has since paid anything, nor have any further demands been made until a month or so ago. For your information, the B class stations are quite willing to pay a reasonable amount in respect to copy-

rights, and are at present negotiating with the companies concerned, and do not want financial assistance from listeners, who have to pay enough fop the right to listen in as it is. Your statement that the B stations have a business interest in their provision of entertainment appHes in some cases, and why not? What do y?u go to the trouble of printing daily for? The same reason, and why not, except that you make a charge for your services and the stations propose to give a free service.

That advertising over the air would make “broadcasting a horror,” and has caused the Government to be assailed, is not. the real reason for its refusal. When I was in Wellington a fortnight ago in connection with matters pertaining to the future welfare of our stations I was told the real reason by a Government member of the House, which confirmed what I already knew. The cancelling of the right to “ sponsor ” radio programmes was brought about by opposition pressure, and the fact that certain stations were supposed to have exceeded the regulations was the shortest and easiest way out for the Minister.

In defence of the claims of the B class stations I herewith quote extracts from the 1933 report of the Australian Royal Commission of Radio, under the chairmanship ,of Mr Justice Owen, C.8.E.; “ Broadcasting in Australia is carried out by (non-profit-earning) stations operating side by side with 46 B class stations which are carried on for profit, each class supplemental to and necessary to the other. It may be said that there are too many B class stations, but in the opinion of the Australian Broadcasting Commission the B stations are now, and will be for some time to come, a_ necessary adjunct to the national stations. ... To have the B stations giving additional music and entertainment is a definite service to the public. . . . The B stations undoubtedly have in the past assisted materially in increasing the revenue which comes from listeners’licenses. If these stations had nob been operating, far fewer licensee would Lave been taken out.” - That the commission’s findings were justified is proved by the additional broadcasting licenses that have been granted just recently. ■ . ' In conclusion, let me suggest that' if your theory that advertising over the air would make “broadcasting S horror ” is correct, then this would b« the quickest and surest way of getting fid of them. -Let them advertise themselves to death. I mean this—if the stations could not provide advertising programmes of sufficient interest and entertainment valqe to hold their listeners, they would not receive any advertisements, and would have t<l close down or go through the bankruptcy courts.—l am, etc., F. W. A. Baenext, Station 4ZO, Dunedin, September 26. *