BROADCASTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1926, Page 2

BROADCASTING.

MEETING OF ADVISORY BOaRD. WELLINGTON, Jan. 27. A meeting of the Broadcasting Advisory Board was held at Wellington to-day. Sir .James Parr (PostmasterGenera!) presided, and there were present Messrs A. Markham (Seereiaiy P. and T. Department), A. Shrimp ion (Chief Electmal Engineer, P. and T. Department), William Gooitf.-jihnv trepresentative ol the Radio Broadcasting Company of Nev, Zealand) and G. M. Stilt (representing the radio licensees). Mr A. R. Harris, ‘ manager of the Radio Broadcasting Compnay, attended with the object ol supplying information relative to the doings of the company. Sir James Parr mentioned in connection with th e adverse criticism of broadcasting by the Duiieiii Ex hi In- 1 tiou station YI.DX. that it was not practicable with a temporary station, such as VLDX to provide transmission that would satisfactorily serve all New

! Zealand in point of view of volume, lie also urged that summer conditions were not conducive to good reception. Sir .James Parr also took exception to the criticism of anonymous writers. Air Salt expressed his disagreement with Sir dailies Parr’s statement that a temporary station could not he made to serve all New Zealand. Apart from the deficiency in volume of the Dunedin station. Air Salt stressed the general opinion regarding the poorness of its luodulation. a remedial detect which the Broadcasting Company had failed to rectify. Air Aiarkman cited a list of about forty letters received by the broadcasting station from listeners in, of which about only four were comlemna t nrv. Mr Salt responded by mentioning the almost unanimous condemnation ol the modulation of VLDX by radio editors throughout New Zealand, who quoted mi! only their own experiences, but those of correspondents. -or Harris made a progress report concerning the new transmitters which were being constructed in England. He stated that lire equipment could not he expected in New Zealand until about- the middle of May next. The Brnaih-a-f ing Company was therefore seeking an extension of time for the fulfilment of their contract to erect the two first stations till June 30 next. A competent radio engineer is to come from the manufacturers to iiistal the new transmitters.

Mr Salt, realising the circumstances, offered no opposition to the extension of time, but asked for a definite assurance that existing broadcast ing services would he improved. Air Harris replied that the company

would make an endeavour to meet the wishes of the licensees. He solicited definite suggestions from Air Salt as an indication of the lines on which listeners desired improvements. This Air Salt agreed to do immediately. Air Salt: brought forward, at the request of listeners in. a proposal that there should lie a remission in |sirt of the license fees paid in view of the fact of the unsatisfactory nature of the broadcasting services, and especially in AA'ellington. owing to the local station having t*vn closed down for some months last year. It was pointed out, however, that there v.a< no legal power to reoiiL licensees tees. Air Salt expressed the opinion that when the new stations are in operation broadcasting woukl N- on a good footing, hut in the meanwhile there was much eau-e Tor justifiable camplaint. Sir James Parr, at tho conclusion of tho meeting, said that broadcasting was a great boon to mankind, and had vast possibilities. The Government would do everything to foster it. The board then adjourned for three months.