“LISTENERS’ INTERESTS ARE NOT SAFEGUARDED”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 390, 26 June 1928, Page 9

“LISTENERS’ INTERESTS ARE NOT SAFEGUARDED”

LEAGUE’S OPINION ANNUAL MEETING HELD * 4 The Government, which is the trustee of the listeners of New Zealand, is not keeping a firm enough hand on the Broadcasting Company and is not safeguarding the interests of those who are paying for service in this country,” said Mr. A. C. Jacobs, president of the Auckland Listeners’ League, at the first annual meeting held in the Unity Hall last evening. About 50 members were present. Mr. Jacobs objected to the manner in which the company, and indirectly ; the listeners, is paying the “Radio Rejeord” to publish the week s programxr « s and then paying a second time when ever a copy is bought. He also took exception to the constitution of the various advisory committees which, he held, are merely representatives of the j company and actual and potential ! artists. The proposals of the league j have never been given a fair trial and all schemes of the company have | proved failures. A letter from Mr. Ci. McNamara, secretary of the Post and Telegraph ! Department, stated that apparently. ■ from reports in the New Zealand Press, listeners are quits satisfied with ! the service given and should eircumi stances permit, the steady improve- , ment shown during the last 12 months will be continued. The marked falling . off in licences has been occasioning j some concern, continued the letter, and any explanation the league might have ! to offer would be received gladly. LOCAL PROGRAMMES CRITICISED The motion of Mr. A. A. Hintz. “That in the opinion of this meeting the Auckland programmes are not commensurate with the financial support given to the company by listeners in the Auckland Province.” was passed without a dissenting voice, as was also a motion authorising the committee to request Mr. McNamara to visit Auckland to hear the opinion of listeners at a public meeting. The incoming committee was instructed to press the Government for publication of the Broadcasting Company’s balance sheet and to urge the establishment of an advisory board. Speakers complained of technical defects in transmissions, chiefly the placing of the microphone. Usually one instrument of an orchestra drowns all others. The manner in which broadcasting into the hands of a few and the monotonous regularity with which artists appear regularly on the various days of the week also came in lor sonic unfavourable comment. The membership of the league last year was 1,540. and a total of £BS 16s 3d was collected in fees. A further £l4 17s 3d was received from collections. Expenses were heavy, but a credit balance of £25 17s 6d was shown. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. A. C. Jacob; vice-presi-dent, Mr. A. A. Hintz; lion, treasurer, Mr. E. T. Drayton; hon. secretary, Mr. G. Mcß. Salt; committee, Messrs. G. Jones, C. Brandon, H. Tiarks, G. W. Bell, C. Mahony, H. B. Arthur, a»<i H. Tidman.