ANOTHER FORWARD MOVE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 339, 28 September 1932, Page 4

ANOTHER FORWARD MOVE

Another movement which bears encouraging promise for the developmeiit and progress of Rotorua, will receive its first impetus this evening when a meeting has been convened by the Rotorua Radio Transmitters' Association to consider the establishment of a B class transmitting station in Rotorua. To nonradio enthusiasts (and there are still some remaining) this may possibly eonvey very little, but the fact remains that if the objects of the promoters of this scheme are achieved, the district j 7 will secure a most valuable publicity medium. We have already repeatedly stressed the importanee of publieity to this district and it should not he necessary, although it may still be advisable, to labour the point. It should also not be necessary to stress the uses and abuses to which radio may be put in this j direction ; the advantages of posi sessing a medium for the distri- ! bution of Rotorua news and pubi licity to the hundreds of thouj sands of listeners in Australia ; and New Zealand should be api parent even to the man who lis- : tens to radio only when he canI not avoid it. Radio is unquestionably one of the most powerf ul ' publieity methods which it is | possible to employ, and any scheme which will give Rotorua j radio expression, for that reason j alone deserves the support of the J community. The establishment i of a transmitting station in the j town would enable interesting 1 talks dealing with the scenic, thermal and sporting attractions i of the district to be broadcast, | wliile numerous other items ' which would assist in turning the tide of the holiday makers in j this direction, could also be disj tributed. Apart altogether from this important advantage, however, the normal development of a transmitting statioii would, in the course of time, probably give Rotorua a relay station as well. This would mean that the interference and disturbance which at present militates against good reception in Rotorua, would largely be ehminated and this, we f eel sure, would be itself sufficient to ensure the enthusiastic support of all local listeners for the project. Recent tests conducted in Rotorua showed that over a 365 day period, reception could be coiisidered good only on

80 days. Interference and disturbance is undoubtedly very much more prevalent in the local conditions than it is in many other districts and this fact has not assisted the equanimity o: Rotorua license holders in paying their dues. A relay line, however, would largely obviate this trouble, and although it woulc possibly be some time after the establishment of the station before the line could he installed, it is still the final object of the present project. In the meantime, the establishment of a transmitting plant would enable Rotorua news to be distributec from the station, while recordec dinner music, Maori concerts anc other entertainments could also be broadcast. The argument may be raised that the broadcasting of MaoTi entertainments will affect the actual attendances hut this is hardly a sound objection. The broadcast should rather whet the appetite for more anc encourage the listener to come to Rotorua and witness the enter- ; tainments in person. Local enterprise and enthusiasm has been en'tirely responsible for the ini- ; tial steps in the scheme anc. given the support of the townspeople, the promoters should be able to proceed almost immediately with the installation of the station. It is understood, however, that a certain measure of assistance will be asked both from the Borough Council and the Tourist Department, in order to make up the annual sum

which will be required for maintenance and running costs. It would appear to be a souiid investment for eitHer or both of these authorities to give the proposal some financial assistance. The clepartmdht has a million and a half of capital sunk in Rotorua and should he preparecl tq •assist any movement which will increase its return upon that capital, while the council should be able to perceive in the scheme ^ Another very valuable oiVic asse't.