BROADCAST POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1932, Page 7

BROADCAST POLICY

PROBLEMS OF NEW BOARD. 'SOME CHANGES MADE. CONTiNUITY OF THE SERVICES. WELLINGTON, January 16. Tile fact that the Radio Broadcasting Board has not vet introduced any far-reaching or fundamental changes in the system at present in vogue is no criterion of the immense amount of hard work in progress at the moment. Naturally the first duty of the board was lo ensure the continuity of the services. A problem in itself of no little difficulty considering the extremely short notice given. It is understood that at the last meeting of the board this formed the main problem lor immediate settlement. An outcome of the board’s deliberations has been the transference of headquarters from Christchurch to (Wellington. This move has now been completed. Nevertheless, essential architectural changes are still in the course of completion at 2YA to enable headquarters staff to be properly housed. Another important matter that had to be considered when the Radio Board took over the Radio Broadcasting Company was the question of staff. Opportunity wa s given for existing members of tile staff to serve under the new management. With the exception of a few every member of the staff elected to take advantage of this opportunity. GRAMOPHONE MUSIC. Even the most critical member of the public could not expect far-reaching changes to result in the brief time that has elapsed. Nevertheless, < ritical listeners may have noticed in the published programmes tha.t already small alterations have been effected. Efforts have been made, if possible, to improve the dinner sessions; to brighten the programme by slightly increased use of gramophone records; and to cut down the time lag between the arranging of programmes, their publication, and their transmission. It is understood that the authorities concerned hope not only to improve matters by the careful insertion of good gramophone music, but they also hope .to raise the standard of local talent available. Even if this means increased disbursements on the part of the broadcasting authorities, it has been contended that it would be money well spent. A matter that is already receiving it he earnest attention of the board is the problem of covering the largest possible area of Ne\V Zealand to the bgeii interests of hsten-et§. . This matter is more difficult than might be anticipated at first- sight, The Board is well aware of the present tendency in England and America to scrap small numerous stations for few but highpowered stations. A problem, of this nature "that commits the country for vears ahead to a definite policy, requires very careful consideration. Matters of finance play an important part in the decision that must be made. In the meantime it is understood th's aspect is receiving the consideration of experts who will doubtless be able to advise the board as to the best course to pursue.

POST OFFICE ASSISTANCE. Thanks to the able assistance that has been received from the Post Office authorities, ithe board is 'veil aware ol the technical limitations set by land lines on feeding scattered local stations. Both suggested methods require the services of land lines to a certain extent, for it has become the custom to site stations ol 20 kilowatts and over outside large centres of population. It has already been suggest'd to the board that possibly the recent developments in "micro-ray telephony on very short waves afford an excellent method to feed studio programmes either to a powerful tiansmitting station a score of miles away or to a number of smaller local stations at "••enter distances. Listeners may rest assured that in the short time that the board has beat in existence it has been busy obtaining an insight into broadcasting conditions that will serve as an impoitant foundation for any subsequent improvements that it may consider desirable in order to encourage as many tiStaners n« possible .to avail themselves of the service.