RADIO CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1931, Page 8

RADIO CONTROL

The change in the control of radio broadcasting in the Dominion has been accompanied by a whole series of delays, and this unfortunate experience applies also to the setting up of the new organisation approved by Parlia-

ment. In the Broadcasting Bill, it was provided that the company should, after the •fixing of term®, hand over its equipment and stations on January 1 to the Postmaster-General, who would place these assets in charge of the Broadcasting Board, which will be responsible for the conduct of the services. The original measure came before Parliament some months ago, but emergencies arising from the financial position led to highly important developments completely obscuring radio matters. It was only a few days before the session’s end that the way was clear for beginning the new organisation.

As the first step is the appoint tnenit of tine controlling body, nothing effective , can be don© untill it can function, but there has been no time for the proper consideration of this | important matter. The Ministers have , been obliged to attend night and day to sessional affairs, and on Friday they held a hurried meeting of Cabinet, beginning at 6 p.m., as the final official gathering prior to dispersing fOi the election campaign. It was impossible to deal with the Broadcasting Board under these circumstances, and the matter must rest until after December 2, when, if the Coalition Government is returned, it can proceed to make the three appointments. Then it will be for the Broadcasting Board to appoint its officers. With about three weeks to inaugurate the new system, it appears that the board will face an impossible task, and that the Government must continue the radio service with substantially the same staff as that employed by the Radio Broadcasting Company which has offered its complete ! co-operation in securing a smooth ' change over. It is understood that a j large number of the employees are anxious to continue in their positions and this fact will be of great assistance in overcoming the difficulty due to the inadequate time available for the change to public control.