RADIO IN N.Z.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1933, Page 6

RADIO IN N.Z.

THE FUTURE OF BROADCASTING

CRITICISM IN THE HOUSE.

WELLINGTON, November 21

The Government’s policy of taking ever three B class radio stations find withdrawing the right to the remainder to broadcast sponsored programmes was attacked by Mr Howard (Christchurch South) in the House- to-day. He also complained of the difficulty of securing information concerning the operations of the Broadcasting Board, and urged that license fees should he reduced.

Discussing the purchase of B class stations Mr Howard said the Government had paid £6OO for one which had been sold eight or nine months ago for £l5O or thereabouts. “If it were pulled to pieces and sold on the open market it wouldn’t fetch £lO, yet we’ve given £6OO for that load, of junk called 3ZC,” he said. Money was spent, in this way while license fees ,even for crystal sets, remained at 30s. Last year four A stations were bought for £59,000, and six months later this sum was written down by £20,000, and, strange to say, that sum was written down out of income.

Air Howard added that the hoard was playing ducks and drakes with the service, and the first thing that should have been done was reduction of license fees, before the purchase of old junk in both types of stations. In the case cf B class stations the big fellows were bought out and the small fellows pushed out. He woud not like to have the air filled with advertisements, but at the same time he did not sec why license-holders should nol have some say .in the selection of programmes, and on their behalf he could .say they had no objection to the amount of advertising at present carried on by B class stations.