RADIO LICENSES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1928, Page 2

RADIO LICENSES

ANNUAL RENEWAL. OBLIGATION ON LISTENERS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON Oct. 7. The fact that radio licenses must be renewed each year was made apparent i» the Magistrate’s Court nt the end of last week when failure to comply with the regulation resulted in fines being imposed on offenders. Speaking on the subject of licenses, the Inspector of Radios (Mr AY. March) said that it was remarkable how so many people ran the risk *f a prosecution through failing to obtain licenses promptly.

“ While in the main the intentions of the listener are honourable and good,” said Mr March, “the excuses given t r the inspector often tax his credulity. Sometimes the receiver fails to reach the owner’s expectations, and the inspector is expected to ae.ent this excuse as a good and as a sufficient reason for his not.having a license. “There is a popular misconception. - ’ continued Mr March, “that the owner im allowed a period of trial before a i..sense need lie obtained. Tins is incorrect and is not in strict conformit' with r.he Act. A license should he obtained first, or. at any rate, before 1 1 set is used. The only exception to this rule is. that a dealer mav demons!rate an expensive valve set at the residence of a prospective purchaser for a p>'" of one week. After that th.e prospective buyer is responsible for a license whether or not he intends to keep the set.”

Tn the case of renewals many people allow several weeks to go by before taking action, he said. It should be clearly understood that, a license should be renewed on or before the date of expire of the current one. “Therefore.” concluded Air March, ‘‘listeners should take heed and renew their licenses promptlv. for if they do not a vis;l from the inspector may make the license an expensive one when it. come* to adding a fine and costs to the usual fee.”