LISTENERS IN

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1927, Page 3

LISTENERS IN

RESOLUTIONS OF CONFERENCE. BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHf. WELLINGTON, Sept. 29. The Wellington conference of Radio Listeners was opened this morning l.y the ,May or. Tho l'ostma st cr-G en era I (Air Nosworthy) said that well defined opinion would he welcomed and be of much more value that irresponsible critic (ism. Ala McNamara, Secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department, urged listeners to assist, by providing a .substantial and regular income, ami by waging relentless war on pirates. It was the Department’s intention to take every step to stop unlicensed sets being used, and more inspectors had been appointed. Air Harris, general manager of the Now Zealand Radio Broadcast Company, ma’tle a plea for co-operation. After other speeches, an adjournment was made to inspect 2YA. Air McNamara (Secretary of the G.P.0.) said that his Department had nothing to do with tho programmes, and it only acted as referee. The finding of the Royal Commission on Wireless in Australia showed the present system of broadcasting was in danger of falling clown. With one exception, no company paid its way and bearing this in mind the Department had to bo careful in its attitude towards the company, as it did not wish broadcasting to be a failure here too. The listeners-in would have to help by assuring a regular income. The Department was also taking steps to stop pirates. Since 2YA had opened, the new licenses went up to 900 a week. The following remits were passed at to-day’s Radio Listeners’ Conference :

That it is essential, if broadcasting is to progress oil sound lines and is to give satisfaction to listeners, that the authorities must take active steps to minimise as far as possible, all interference.

That there should be more alteration of programmes on individual nights, and if a silent night is considered necessary, that no two stations be silent on the same night. That tho Broadcasting Company be earnestly requested to co-ordinate their programmes in such a manner as to avoid two stations transmitting speeches, or when talking at the same time, that as far as possible nil such addresses bo transmitted prior to the commencement of The 8 p.m. sessions. That the Broadcasting Coy be requested to continue transmitting from each of tho New Zealand broadcast stations under its control on Sunday evenings until at least 10 p.m. That the radio regulations be amended as follows: —Tlie following clause to be added thereto: “That it is a breach of the Act for any dealer to supply a crystal set complete or a valve receiving set complete on any other type of receiving set to any person (other than a licensed dealer for trade purposes) without first having perused the actual purchaser s license. Further flint an intending purchaser must firsts obtain a license to use a receiving set. For every breach of this regulation, the minimum fine shall he £IOO for dealers, and £5 for purchasers (2) that the Post and Telegraph Department be requested to provide a correct and up to date list of licenses, along with the name and address of each person holding a receiving set license at a reasonable charge; (3) that the P. and T. Department he requested to publish monthly the number of licenses (both listeners and dealers) for the four main districts, Auckland, Wellington. Canterbury and Otago, separate figures to be given for the listeners and dealers.”

RADIO REQUESTS. WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. The Listeners-in Conference passed resolutions denying the statement by Mr Nosworthy that no one but Mr Goodfellow would entertain the proposition of broadcasting and asserting several others were quite prepared to take it up, but were never given a chance ; demanding action to minimise the interference of more alterations in programmes, and no two stations to he silent the same night; the extension of Sunday evening programmes and stiffer’ penalties for breaches of the Act.