BROADENING THE SERVICE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 379, 27 September 1946, Page 7

BROADENING THE SERVICE

Future Developments in N.Z. Radio

future development of broa@ casting in New Zealand, which were hinted at in the recent statement by the Minister in Charge of Broadcasting (the Hon. F. Jones) have now been described to The Listener by the Director of Broadcasting (Professor, J. Shelley). A scheme is envisaged whereby New Zealand would eventually have radio stations in four categories-International (shortwave), National, District, and Local. The scheme foresees radio functioning as a local institution to develop cultural life in general, fostering choral, instrumental and dramatic talent. So far, the Director said, broadcasting here has been regarded on a national basis, ‘and the opportunity is now coming to operate it on a local basis as’ well. Local studios could be centres of cultural activity in the smaller towns, and the best "local" talent could go to the District Stations in the main centres and larger towns. The best talent available at the District stations. could be regarded as "National" and would be used on the National station (at present represented by 2YA) as well as for touring. The Local stations would in a sense provide listening audiences which. could be regarded as extensions of the town hall, the concert chamber, and the schoolroom, while «still retaining their function as suppliers of entertainment. They would be on the air three to four hours a day, and might have "local talent nights." Places that are not touched by the system of District and Local stations will be drawn into the scheme by the Mobile recording units (described in | last week’s issue) which will be able to "T ideas for the

gather programme material from anywhere that is reached by road. The District stations would send their best talent to the National station, or on tour, and sometimes they would relay the national programme. At other times their programmes would be relayed by the National station and become a part of the national programme -if they were of national importance. Plans for orchestral development have already been revealed with the appointment of an organiser for the new National Orchestra. In addition to this, there will eventually be full-time musicians employed at the district stations to serve as nuclei for the part-time orchestras (which would continue as at present), and to ensure that they can

be gathered at each centre in turn for orchestral work. , Drama will be further fostered in the various centres as recording facilities are extended so that plays for broadcasting can be produced by acting groups outside of Wellington. In general, the Director envisages the broadcasting service as a unifying instrument in the community, capable of stimulating civic consciousness and cultural activity. The expanded system would provide facilities for adequate staff training, he said, and would be regarded as aiding both material and social rehabilitation, because it would provide work for many New Zealanders and would foster new growths in cultural and community life.