B CLASS RADIO STATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1930, Page 4

B CLASS RADIO STATIONS

PERFORMING RIGHTS PROTECTION OF AUTHORS’ INTERESTS PALMERSTON N., Oct. 28. The rumour that the B class radio broadcasting stations of New Zealand are going to lie badly lift by the Australian Performing Rights Association is without foundation, according to Mr A. (J. Roe, announced at station 2F‘Z, Ralmertson North, the Manawatu Radio Club's station. Mr Ri.e leturned to-day from a visit to Auckland, where he made Jiis first business the discussing with the A.P.R.A. of exactly what its intentions were. “I have had several interviews with Mr Edwards, secretary of the A. P.R.A.” Mr Roe informed a eorrespodent of the “Times,” “and I am strongly of opinion that there is no need for alarm being felt. In many quarters the A.P.R.A. exists purely as a protective body for the largo numbers of composers who are responsible for the music of to-doy. It is not a large combine trying to squeeze the last penny out of any'R class station nor. a concern catering for the amusement of the public. It levies no- arbitrary charges; but, where a profit is made on performances, it sees that the composers’ interests are safe- ■ ganled. If a business man expected a supplier to stock him uip free of ■ charge one would look on . that as nil absurdity.! Likewise any company using material belonging to a. group of composers for profit should . nat= urally expect to pay for it. Imagine yourself the creator of a play and finding a company using it for profit without asking permission or paying a penny for it. How would it be possible for that composer to live by the genius of its efforts?” asked Mr Roe. “The whole thing would he unjust. “As far as the suggestion that the B class stations are going to be pushed off the air by levying a, big charge is concerned, the whole matter is an absurdity. The A.P.R.A. has. not-the slightest intention of making any der • maud whatever on the B class stat-<; ions.” . Just before leaving Auckland Mr Roe had lunch with Mr Lash mar, - deputy chairman, and Mr Edwards* The last words of Mr Lashmar were, “You may rest assured that you have no problems ahead as far as we are concerned. There is not the remotest possibility of charging B class stations anything unless an agreement with a station i s not renewed and the Government throws the B class stations on the open air with no revenue from the license fees from listeners and grants advertising rights to all stations, as in America. Then the A.P.R.A. will review the whole situaton; for it is only to be expected that if money is made from the latter source the A.P.R.A. will require legitimate fees.” .Mr Roe added that) despite" anything said to the contrary, Mr Edwards had assured him that' at no time had a letter been dispatched to a,New Zealand B class station making a demand for payment. The matter had not even been discussed by the association and he did not understand how the misunderstanding had come about.