CITY BAND BROADCASTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 713, 12 July 1929, Page 11

CITY BAND BROADCASTS

COUNCIL AND COMPANY IN DEADLOCK DEPUTATION OF LISTENERS “We are making an appeal for the reopening of negotiations between the Broadcasting Company and the council with a view to having the Municipal Band again put on the air,” said Mr. E. Hammond, representing a deputation of radio listeners who, in conjunction with the Radio Dealers’ Association, waited on the City Council last evening. Mr. Hammond said listeners had suffered as the result of the deadlock between council and company, and he asked the council to treat lightly the financial aspect. Mr. W. Smeeton, chairman of the dealers’ association, said his association was naturally very interested in the welfare of listeners. He urged that negotiations be at once resumed. “We are not here to blame anyone for the fact that band broadcasts have ceased,” Mr. Smeeton assured the council. Every obstacle should be removed, if possible, from a resumption of the broadcasts. The time was long past when radio was to be regarded as a toy. It was rapidly becoming an itegral part of home life and people should have the privilege of hearing the band at home as well as in the parks and Town Hall. The Deputy-Mayor assured the deputation that the council would have no objection to further negotiations. The matter would be carefully considered by the Finance Committee.