NEW TERMS FIXED.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 415, 23 April 1937, Page 3

NEW TERMS FIXED.

£l5OO A YEAR. Straight-out Salary For Mr. Scrimgeour. •Wellington, April 23. Initial revenue from 'the State’s fiVat commercial radio" broad cast’ Jig station at Auckland has been so much greater than anticipated that the Governmen has reviewed he agreement originally made with the controller, Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour, and fixed new lermg of remuneration. Instead of receiving a salary of £5OO a year; plus 7i per cent, commission on radio advertising receipts, Mr. Scrimgeo,>ir is 'to be paid a straightout annual salary of £l5OO. A statement on the subject of Mr. Scrimgeour’s position was made by the. Acting-Minister # Qf Broadcasting, Hon. F. Jones. The Minister said: “It was as a result of knowledge gained from experiences in other countries -Where commercial stations are controlled by private companies and individuals that the government made provision in the Broadcasting Act of 1936 to prohibit advertising over the lair except from stations, which it controls. Subsequently, when it was decided to initiate commercial broadcasting in the Dominion, Auckland, being the largest city, ■v.'as selected as the best in which 'to make a commencement. Station IZB was considered to be of the class that could be most conveniently adapted for commercial purposes, and was duly acquired. Negotiations as to the pries to be paid have not yet been finalised, and it will be neces-

sary to have this question determined by reference to an independent and disinterested third parly. Mr C. G Scrimgeour was appointed as Controll r of the National Radio Advertising Service. “The method of radio advertising decided upon w*ag a new feature in New Zealand. Therefore it was impossible to foresee what the response v.vuld be. The controller’s remuneration was l consequently tentatively fixed at £5OO per annum, plus a commission of 7£ per c 'nt. on business done, it being agreed that this question should be reviewed at -the end of three months. The reci.ipts' from the business immediately forthcoming proved to be substantially larger than was anticipated, and Mr Scrimgeour was offered and accepted a straightout salary of £l5OO a y«ar as- from April 1, 1937. “Mr Scrimgeour’s duties, of course, are not to be restricted to the control of advertising in the Auckland district alone, but are to include commercial broadcasting throughout 'the Dominion. The commercial service is now about to start in Wellington, ind later will be extended to Christchurch ad Dunedin.”