BAND AND RADIO

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 625, 30 March 1929, Page 10

BAND AND RADIO

BROADCASTING COMPANY CRITICISED BY COUNCIL REDUCE) TERMS REFUSED Disapproval of the ultra-busi-nesslike attitude of the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand was expressed at a meeting of the City Council on Thursday evening, when the Auckland Radio Dealers’ Association asked that the contract with the company relating to band music on the air be renewed on the same terms as last year. THE Parks Committee, however, advised the council to adhere to its decision that £SOO was a very reasonable sum to pay for the privilege. Last year’s terms were £3OO. Cr. J. B. Paterson said the council had thought £750 was a reasonable charge for broadcasting of the Municipal Band and the organ. The company offered £5 5s for each band concert. This was ridiculous. It had later offered £7 7s. Subsequently the council came down to £ 500 and could not go lower. Cr. E. J. Phelan protested that although the committee’s recommendations had been sent back more than once for further consideration, nothing had been done. Ratepayers were paying thousands for upkeep of the band, and should be given far more opportunity of hearing it. “I have nothing against the organ or the city organist, but we are trying to force this sort of music upon a public \vhich does not want it,” said Cr. W. H. Murray. “The people are clamouring for more band, and why should they not have it? We have not yet used up all our resources in connection with broadcasting. There should have been no difficulty in arriving at an amicable understanding with the Broadcasting Company, although that concern offered £370 and the council wanted £500.” Cr. Paterson said a conference had been held, but nothing had come of it. The Finance Committee thought £ 500 a very low requirement for the services of the band on the air, as well as the organ. Only the company’s side, and not that of the council, had been given. “I think the company can quite well afford to pay £500,” said Cr. A. J. Entrican, who moved that the question again be referred back to the committee, which should further- confer with the Broadcasting Company. “If we start playing about with this tfus iness we are entitled to public criticism,” was Cr. J. A. C. Allum’s view. “If broadcasting in general were free to the people we would be justified in giving our band free. As things are we should not' rebate a penny-piece of the £SOO. Ratepayers are entitled to receive it.” Cr. Phelan thought that if Cr. Allum’s suggestion were adopted the band would be commercialised. It was never intended to do that. Hospital patients, sick soldiers and the aged should not be deprived of band music because of the requirements of the council. Cr. Ellen Melville would not hear of letting the company have the band cheaply. “Why should we give the whole of New Zealand cheap music?” Cr. Entrican’s amendment was defeated.