LICENSE FEES AND CRYSTAL SETS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18055, 15 January 1927, Page 8

LICENSE FEES AND CRYSTAL SETS.

To the Editor. Sir,—Could you kindly grant me a little of your valuable space in which to put forward several grievances, which are shared by all users of crystal sets alike? Firstly, why are we asked to pay 30s per annum license fee, the same as users of valve sets? A crystal set, no matter how manipulated, is never an annoyance to the remainder of the “ Radio ” community as is the case with valve sets. One has only to read the papers and see the remarks of correspondents there to form some idea of the annoyance caused by the larger sets through improper use. We read also in the paper that inspectors have been appointed to endeavour to track down the howling valves. Well, I fail to see why expenses of this sort should have anything to do with the user of a crystal set. What does he care if all the valves in the community are howling? Yet he is compelled to contribute on the same scale as those who are capable of causing the annoyance mentioned, and for whom the inspectors have been appointed. Secondly, I would like to point out that, notwithstanding the fact that crystal sets comprise SO per cent, of the sets in use, and the users are treated in the manner just complained of, with reference to license fees, they receive no consideration whatsoever from the Broadcasting Company; on the contrary, it is the users of valve sets who receive the special consideratoin. Why. is the crystal user compelled to have an “of!” day weekly? Just to show special consideration to the valve user. To enable him to have an evening with outside stations without interference by the local station.—l am, etc., CRYSTAL.